Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré, Military citadel in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, France
The Citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is a square fortress with four bastions, three half-moons, and a counterguard on the coast. A moat and covered walkways surround the entire structure.
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban built the fortress in 1690 to protect the island from British fleets. It later served as a transit station for convicts.
The fortress displays French military architecture from the 17th century with a chapel, barracks, and arsenal still standing. These buildings reflect the daily organization and hierarchy of that period.
The site is open to the public mostly during summer evenings through local information centers. Visitors should plan ahead and contact the tourist office for current access details.
The fortress functions simultaneously as a maximum-security prison and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This dual purpose makes it an unusual place where history and modern use coexist.
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