A bit of history...
Built between 1630 and 1704 on the ruins of a former fortified castle, the citadel of Le Château-d'Oléron becomes a strategic stronghold of the defense system of the Atlantic Coast and the Arsenal of Rochefort.
In 1691, as a final touch to its role of impregnable citadel, Vauban orders to built new fortified towers, a counter-guard and covered ways.
From 1710, the citadel houses a training camp for soldiers leaving for North America. The Bastion de la Brèche refers to this, housing the « Mémorial des soldats de la Nouvelle-France », a museum about the history of French presence in Quebec and Louisana.
During the Reign of Terror and again in 1870, it was transformed into a prison. It was listed as historical monument in 1929.
Architectural and historical heritage
A big part of the citadel was unfortunately destoryed during the bombings of 1945. The stronghold was rebuilt in 1988, the same year when the restoration works started in 1959 were finished.
To see: the Porte Royale (Royal Gate) decorated with beams and a badge dating from 1630, generally attributed to Cardinal Richelieu, the chapel, the old powder warehouse and the arsenal building…
Read more about the visit to Citadel of Le Château-d'Oléron
