Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vauban fortifications at Saint-Martin-de-Ré are one of the most spectacular defensive systems on the Île de Ré.
Completed during the reign of Louis XIV by the engineer Vauban, they perfectly illustrate the military genius of the 17th century and the strategic importance of the island in the face of maritime threats.
Our four-star Hotel Plaisir is a 6-minute drive from Saint-Martin-de-Ré: ideal for exploring the Vauban fortifications!
With nearly 14 kilometers of ramparts forming a semicircle with a radius of approximately 1.5 km, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré impress with their sheer size.
Designed to protect the entire population in the event of an enemy landing, they form a veritable stone rampart, massive and harmonious, which still dominates the landscape of Île de Ré today.
Integrated into the network of major Vauban sites, they bear witness to exceptional craftsmanship, recognized worldwide by UNESCO.
The ramparts can be explored freely, in any season.
You can also opt for a guided tour: organized by the tourist office, it will allow you to understand the principles of the defensive architecture conceived by Vauban.
Along the way, bastions, moats, and monumental gates tell the story of the island's eventful history, between maritime conflicts and island life protected behind the walls.
To explore the fortifications, start from La Cible beach and follow the coast towards the village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
You will walk alongside the citadel and its richly decorated entrance before continuing towards the old port and the Barbette Park.
From the ramparts, the view opens onto the ocean, the bustling port, and, on a clear day, all the way to the Vendée coast.
A walk where heritage, sea, and light blend perfectly.
The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is still an active prison. It is not open to the public, but you can observe it from the outside during the walk along the ramparts.
Book your hotel on Île de Ré now to discover the Vauban fortifications!
Guided tour prices:
Adult: €8
Child (5-12 years): €3.50
Completed during the reign of Louis XIV by the engineer Vauban, they perfectly illustrate the military genius of the 17th century and the strategic importance of the island in the face of maritime threats.
Our four-star Hotel Plaisir is a 6-minute drive from Saint-Martin-de-Ré: ideal for exploring the Vauban fortifications!
The Vauban fortifications: a masterpiece of military architecture
With nearly 14 kilometers of ramparts forming a semicircle with a radius of approximately 1.5 km, the fortifications of Saint-Martin-de-Ré impress with their sheer size.
Designed to protect the entire population in the event of an enemy landing, they form a veritable stone rampart, massive and harmonious, which still dominates the landscape of Île de Ré today.
Integrated into the network of major Vauban sites, they bear witness to exceptional craftsmanship, recognized worldwide by UNESCO.
A visit to Île de Ré: history and panorama
The ramparts can be explored freely, in any season.
You can also opt for a guided tour: organized by the tourist office, it will allow you to understand the principles of the defensive architecture conceived by Vauban.
Along the way, bastions, moats, and monumental gates tell the story of the island's eventful history, between maritime conflicts and island life protected behind the walls.
An iconic walk in Saint-Martin-de-Ré
To explore the fortifications, start from La Cible beach and follow the coast towards the village of Saint-Martin-de-Ré.
You will walk alongside the citadel and its richly decorated entrance before continuing towards the old port and the Barbette Park.
From the ramparts, the view opens onto the ocean, the bustling port, and, on a clear day, all the way to the Vendée coast.
A walk where heritage, sea, and light blend perfectly.
The citadel of Saint-Martin-de-Ré is still an active prison. It is not open to the public, but you can observe it from the outside during the walk along the ramparts.
Book your hotel on Île de Ré now to discover the Vauban fortifications!
Guided tour prices:
Adult: €8
Child (5-12 years): €3.50
