Saint-Louis Powder Magazine

Before it was just a bus stop and a building, this famous powder magazine with its royal name (Saint-Louis was the nickname of King Louis IX) was of vital importance to Saint-Martin in the event of an attack. At a time when the village was still at risk from enemy assaults, this was the only powder magazine built directly inside the fortifications.

The powder magazine was built to Vauban's plans in 1685. In the form of a rectangle with 2.50-meter-thick stone walls supported by six massive buttresses, three on each side, it was capable of withstanding bomb explosions. To reinforce its protection, a wall was built opposite to double the chances of surviving an attack. However, this was destroyed in the 20th century. Of course, to take advantage of its immediate surroundings, Vauban had it built as close as possible to the enceinte, so as to be able to rely on a thick earthen embankment and the added wall to defend this highly strategic point.
Indeed, its name derives from this embankment, known as the "cavalier Saint-Louis", a "cavalier" being an element designed to reinforce a fortification.
It was also naturally able to withstand explosive accidents inside. This was due above all to its unique vaulted room, which could store up to 55 tons of gunpowder. Although its location was very convenient for avoiding a lethal explosion, it should be pointed out that its presence in the south-east of the village does not really fit in with the position of the artillery, which is based one kilometer to the north-east, near the citadel.
Then, in the course of the 20th century, in addition to clearing a space in front of the building, it was decided to install a lightning conductor on its roof, which has remained unchanged ever since.

Now owned by the commune, the building cannot be visited except on very rare occasions.