Île de Brescou, Military fortress on volcanic island near Agde, France
Île de Brescou is a small volcanic island near Agde featuring a fortress with four bastions surrounding a central courtyard. The thick stone walls rise directly from Mediterranean waters and occupy most of the island's surface.
The fortress was built in 1586 by Guillaume de Joyeuse to counter Spanish threats during the Wars of Religion. Significant expansion and reinforcement took place between 1604 and 1610 to strengthen its defensive capabilities.
The name comes from an Occitan word meaning small island, reflecting the region's linguistic heritage. The fortress walls and their stark appearance over the sea still convey the prison's former role in confining political and religious prisoners.
Reaching this location requires a boat trip departing from Cap d'Agde. Public visits have been closed since 2005 due to structural concerns affecting the fortress.
The island contains two lighthouses of different origins: a 16th-century stone tower and an 1836 structure built atop earlier tower remains. This layering reveals how long mariners relied on this spot for navigation guidance.
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