Queen's Bastion, Bastion in Saint-Malo, France
The Bastion de la Reine is a fortified section built into the city walls of Saint-Malo, facing the sea. It features thick stone walls with old cannon positions and is connected to the Saint-Thomas Gate by a small curtain wall added in the 1740s.
The bastion was built in 1694 under the military engineer Vauban, following bombardments by English and Dutch ships that exposed weaknesses in Saint-Malo's coastal defenses. Between 1737 and 1744 it was raised and connected to the rest of the ramparts, giving it the form it has today.
The name "Bastion de la Reine" means "Queen's Bastion" and reflects a connection to the French crown. From this section of the ramparts, visitors can see Fort National clearly across the water, which makes it a natural stopping point on any walk along the walls.
The bastion is accessible from the public walkway that runs along the city walls, and can be visited as part of a broader walk along the ramparts. The wind off the sea can be strong at this exposed spot, so it is worth bringing a layer regardless of the season.
Before receiving its current name, the structure was known as the "Bastion du Cheval-Blanc", meaning White Horse. That original name disappeared when the work was expanded and integrated into the broader city defenses during the 18th century.
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