Programmation estivale 2026
Durant les mois de juin, juillet et août, les douze Fortifications de Vauban inscrites sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO vous proposent de nombreux évènements. Découvrez-les vite !
Fortifications of Vauban
Saint-Martin-de-Ré
A stone star between land and sea
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.
Inscribed Property
the enclosure and citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Outstanding Universal Value
citadel and urban enclosure in an island site
Date of construction
between 1681 and 1685
Altitude
between 0 and 52 ft
Department
Charente-Maritime
Region
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
GPS coordinates
46.201757, -1.368312
The urban wall of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré seen from the sky
The urban wall of Saint-Martin-de-Ré
Journées européennes du patrimoine
Les 20 & 21 septembre 2025, les douze Fortifications de Vauban inscrites sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO vous proposent de nombreux évènements. Découvrez-les vite !
A shared celebration to celebrate the 15th anniversary of "Fortifications of Vauban" as a World Heritage Site
On July 7th 2023, 15 years to the day after the Fortifications of Vauban were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the twelve major Vauban sites proudly celebrated this anniversary in ceremonies...
Tourist information
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
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
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
Pays d’Art et d’Histoire – Service Patrimoine
Communauté de Communes de l’île de Ré
3 rue du Père Ignace - 17410 Saint-Martin-de-Ré
www.cdciledere.fr
paysarthistoire@cc-iledere.fr
Phone number: +33 5 46 09 00 97
How to visit / Access
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.
Ressources
Document