Fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré

In 1674, Louis XIV ordered Vauban to build a stronghold at Saint-Martin-de-Ré to protect the royal arsenal at Rochefort, created in 1666 by Colbert, from the English. The fortifications at Saint-Martin were strategic: it was a place of refuge for the inhabitants of the island of Ré in the event of a siege. Vauban designed a 7km wall, lined with a moat, surrounding the town and linking it to the Citadelle, now a prison. Two gates, the Toiras gate and the Campani gate, provided access to the town. The fortifications include glacis that conceal the height of the walls, creating an optical illusion to disorientate attackers. This system strengthened the defence by making the walls difficult for artillery to reach. Vauban also designed ditches to minimise blind spots. The fortifications took ten years to build. Vauban improved the port of Saint-Martin, transforming it to facilitate trade and defence.
The fortifications, which are virtually intact, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 and are part of the network of major Vauban sites.