The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré

History and origins of Vauban's fortifications on the Île de Ré

The jewel of the Île de Ré, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré are the work of Vauban. Built under Louis XIV in 10 years, from 1681 to 1691, they bear the signature of the famous royal engineer, with their typical star-shaped architecture.

Unique for their exceptional size, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré form a semicircle with a radius of over 1.5 km facing the Pertuis Breton, and represent 14 kilometers of ramparts. The stronghold was designed to shelter all the island's inhabitants in the event of an attack. Its strategic position in the north of the island protected Rochefort and La Rochelle from English attacks.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is remarkable for its preservation. Having lost its defensive vocation, the Vauban citadel has found new uses over the centuries and has never been abandoned. In the 19th century, it housed the prison where convicts were held before being shipped to New Caledonia and then French Guiana. Captain Dreyfus was notably imprisoned here. The citadel is still a prison today, and is the country's largest central prison. Its unique features are its listed infrastructures and its location at the heart of a renowned tourist area.

Visit the citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré

The Vauban citadel at Saint-Martin-de-Ré can be explored freely or discovered in greater depth thanks to fascinating guided tours. The entire urban enclosure and citadel have survived, despite some modifications to the fortifications during the Third Republic.

The tour of the ramparts offers magnificent ocean views across the Pertuis Breton to La Tranche-sur-Mer. An urban park also makes the site a pleasant place for families and visitors to stroll and enjoy. The walk leads from the small port of the citadel to the port of Saint-Martin in the town center. Several of the original buildings are still intact: the watchtowers, the underground passages of the various bastions, the chapel, the officers' pavilion near the citadel's entrance gate, a barracks and the arsenal. Part of the site is now occupied by the prison.

The three remarkable gates of the fortified town - the Porte de la Citadelle, the Porte des Campani to the west and the Porte de Toiras to the east - feature sculpted decorations bearing the effigy of the Sun King. Guided tours provide an opportunity to decipher these decorations and identify their various symbols, linked both to the monarchy and to the site's military vocation.

Practical information and opening hours

It takes less than 5 minutes by car to reach the citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré from our Slow Village hotel surrounded by nature on the Île de Ré. Several car parks are available for visitors outside the ramparts: the Bastion car park and the Cible car park are located by the sea, to the west and east of the fortified complex respectively. They are the starting point for hikes to explore the fortifications. In the low season, it is easier than in summer to find a space in the town center, at the Favorite car park, closest to the port and the Barbette park. The Cimetière car park is another option, convenient for its proximity to the Porte des Campani. Finally, motorhome owners have a parking area on Rue des Remparts, south of the Vauban city.

The easiest and most pleasant way is to visit the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré by bike from Slow Village: access is direct via rural paths, and the citadel harbor can be reached in less than 10 minutes. Along the seaward side of the ramparts, don't miss the famous donkeys in knickerbockers in the Parc de la Barbette: the perfect opportunity for a stroll in friendly company!

To take part in a guided tour of the fortifications, you need to register at the Saint-Martin-de-Ré tourist information office. Appointments are usually made in front of the Porte des Campani, for a guided tour lasting 1 to 1.5 hours. For further information, visit the official website of the commune of Saint Martin.