Vauban's fortifications at Saint-Martin-de-Ré
But what is the purpose of this star-shaped fortification in the village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré? What is the Citadelle? And why is it so important to take a guided or unguided tour of this 17th-century architectural masterpiece? We reveal the secrets of Vauban's fortifications!
Vauban's fortifications: protecting the Île-de-Ré
The coastline of the Charente region has always been an ideal location for shipping, and therefore for intrusions. In 1627, the siege of Saint-Martin-de-Ré took place, a failed attempt by the Duke of Buckingham's British troops to seize Île-de-Ré. Île-de-Ré. This was followed by the siege of La Rochelle (1927-1928), which ended with the surrender of the Protestants of La Rochelle. To prevent further English intrusions and defend La Rochelle, the Sun King Louis XIV commissioned his engineer, Sébastien Le Plestre de Vauban, to protect the island from English attack. Le Plestre de Vauban was put in charge of the fortifications, and work began in 1681, finishing only 4 years later in 1685.
Vauban 's fortifications were not the engineer's only work, and he designed over 150 strongholds throughout France, always in keeping with his military strategy of deterring and repelling the enemy, while wasting his time. In 1690, the citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré was built, a military structure to accommodate the large number of soldiers, with a small harbor for quick access to the sea in small boats. The citadel soon fulfilled another function: from the 17th century onwards, it was used as a depot before prisoners were sent by ship to prisons, mainly in French Guiana and New Caledonia.
Vauban's fortifications: what are they all about?
Vauban 's fortifications surround Saint-Martin-de-Ré with 14 km of ramparts and a 1.5 km semicircle. The work is impressive, and so were its ambitions: in the event of invasion, the military engineer's fortifications were designed to accommodate and regroup the entire population of the island (we're talking about 16,000 people). To appreciate this architectural masterpiece, we recommend a guided tour of Vauban 's fortifications during your stay at our campsite on the Île-de-Ré. You'll be introduced to two monumental gates (the Porte de Toiras and the Porte de Campani) and to the fascinating history that has shaped the region over a long period of time.
Take a guided tour of Vauban's fortifications during your camping holiday on Île-de-Ré:
Prices: adults €7, children (aged 5 to 12) €3. The visit is free for children under 5. Please register with the Saint-Martin-de-Ré Tourist Office. You can also visit Vauban's fortifications on your own, at your own pace, and discover for yourself the admirable defensive architecture of this close friend of Louis XIV. A stroll along the ramparts by the ocean is a unique experience not to be missed during your vacation on the Île-de-Ré.
