In 1681, Vauban planned to build a central reduit at Saint-Martin, which could shelter the whole population of the island if the enemy landed at an other point.
The town wall is unique because of its size: a semi-circle with a radius of 1.5 kilometres and ramparts 14 kilometres long. The geography of the site posed no constraints and the wall was built in record time. The citadel, a perfect square, can only be accessed via one monumental entrance gate, opening onto a small fortified port. Inside, the buildings were planned to accommodate 1200 men and consist of a barracks, chapel, arsenal, the basements of the bastions and an officers’ pavilion.
Saint-Martin-de-Ré is still in a good state of conservation today, sitting on the glacis which has never been built-up. It is surely the finest preserved example both of Vauban’s first system and of an island reduit. Once a powerful military stronghold and busy port, Saint-Martin-de-Ré has become a charming town with narrow and peaceful streets.
The year 2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the inscription of Vauban's Fortifications on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is an opportunity to celebrate World Heritage and Vauban's work of genius...
Commune de Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Hôtel de ville
Place de la République
17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Service patrimoine
Phone number: +33 5 46 09 38 93
www.saint-martin-de-re.fr
Office du Tourisme
2 Avenue Victor Bouthillier - B.P. 41
17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Phone number: +33 5 46 09 20 06 / +33 5 46 09 74 52
https://www.iledere.com/decouvrir/10-villages-1-ile/saint-martin-de-re
Musée Ernest Cognacq
13 avenue Victor Bouthillier
17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Phone number: +33 5 46 09 21 22
musee.st.martin@wanadoo.fr
www.musee-ernest-cognacq.fr
You can visit the Saint-Martin-de-Ré urban wall all year round.
However, the citadel now houses a prison and visits are not authorized.