The Oléron Castle Citadel is a military construction built between 1630 and 1704 to protect the southern part of the Ile d’Oléron.
It is a remarkable fortified complex. Its role was to protect the mouth of the La Charente river and the port of Rochefort. The Citadel was built in several phases starting in 1630. It is the result of 5 rounds of construction over 120 years. Started during the reign of Louis XIII, at the initiative of Richelieu, the Citadel was finished in the beginning of the 18th century by Vauban. Vauban’s final additions made it a construction of beauty, balance, audacity and power. Today, there are exhibit rooms in the Citadel.
More information: http://www.ot-chateau-oleron.fr/decouvrir/page-d-exemple/ & https://www.ile-oleron-marennes.com/decouvrir/patrimoine-et-histoire/patrimoine/le-patrimoine-militaire
