Come and admire the old citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré from the outside.
It's hard to pass by without noticing it. And yet, the only people who can visit it are already inside. After all, the citadel is a prison, and obviously not open to visitors. To make up for this, we offer a brief history of what it once was.
Built in 1681 to Vauban's plans as a 280-metre square, the citadel is slightly elevated, making it ideal for observing assailants from afar and preventing attacks. As usual, he gave the citadel its characteristic star shape, giving it the luxury of having no blind spots to defend. The most northerly branch of the star stands out from the others as it forms the citadel's port, while retaining its triangular shape. Originally a military structure, it could accommodate between eight and ten companies for a maximum of 1,200 soldiers spread over four barracks. The officers had a pavilion, and two buildings were used by the artillery officer and the keeper of the food store. The citadel also boasted four wells, a cistern and the famous food store. Of course, the site also boasts an arsenal, two gunpowder magazines and a prison. A chapel is also available to soldiers.
Only one door gives access to the building, and you can see it. This massive, richly decorated building symbolizes the king's military might, as illustrated by the tympanum above: flags, cannons, armor and, of course, the crown.
In 1685, the building became a prison for Protestants. During the French Revolution, it was more likely to be the refractory priests who ended up there. It remained a prison until 1873, when it was used as a drop-off point for convicts sentenced to forced labor, mainly to the penal colony in French Guiana. It closed in 1939, before being used by German soldiers during the Occupation for any opponents, before being sent there themselves after the war.
Today, it remains a prison which, as mentioned earlier, cannot be visited.
Built in 1681 to Vauban's plans as a 280-metre square, the citadel is slightly elevated, making it ideal for observing assailants from afar and preventing attacks. As usual, he gave the citadel its characteristic star shape, giving it the luxury of having no blind spots to defend. The most northerly branch of the star stands out from the others as it forms the citadel's port, while retaining its triangular shape. Originally a military structure, it could accommodate between eight and ten companies for a maximum of 1,200 soldiers spread over four barracks. The officers had a pavilion, and two buildings were used by the artillery officer and the keeper of the food store. The citadel also boasted four wells, a cistern and the famous food store. Of course, the site also boasts an arsenal, two gunpowder magazines and a prison. A chapel is also available to soldiers.
Only one door gives access to the building, and you can see it. This massive, richly decorated building symbolizes the king's military might, as illustrated by the tympanum above: flags, cannons, armor and, of course, the crown.
In 1685, the building became a prison for Protestants. During the French Revolution, it was more likely to be the refractory priests who ended up there. It remained a prison until 1873, when it was used as a drop-off point for convicts sentenced to forced labor, mainly to the penal colony in French Guiana. It closed in 1939, before being used by German soldiers during the Occupation for any opponents, before being sent there themselves after the war.
Today, it remains a prison which, as mentioned earlier, cannot be visited.
