Fort La Prée Castles / Towers / Forts in La Flotte

Fort La Prée was built in 1626 on the orders of Louis XIII, under the direction of the Duke of Toiras (governor of the Isle of Ré), by the engineers Pierre de Conty d'Argencour and Le Camus. Its main objective was to establish royal authority on the Isle of Ré and to face the Protestants of La Rochelle, particularly during the siege of 1627-1628. Its strategic position between Rivedoux-Plage and La Flotte made it a crucial defensive point for monitoring the harbor of La Rochelle.

The fort was subsequently remodeled and reinforced, notably by Vauban at the end of the 17th century, as part of his vast program of fortification of the French coast.

Centuries of History and Diverse Functions

Over the centuries, Fort La Prée has undergone many changes and served various functions. Primarily designed for defense, it was once an important stronghold. During World War II, it was occupied by the German army and incorporated into the Atlantic Wall. More surprisingly, after the war, between 1950 and 1975, it was even converted into a summer camp.

Today, after being purchased by the National Committee for Social Works of the Prison Administration (CNOSAP) following damage in the 1980s, the fort has become a must-see place to visit.

Fort La Prée has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2008 (the fort and its outworks in their entirety), thus recognizing its exceptional heritage and historical value.

Visit Fort La Prée: A Historical Immersion

Fort La Prée is now a site open to the public which offers an enriching and fun experience for all ages:

• Self-guided or guided tour: Visitors can discover the fort's different eras, its bastions, curtain walls, dungeons, and ramparts. Guided tours (often at 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) are offered to delve deeper into the site's history and anecdotes, lasting approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Exhibitions: The fort houses permanent exhibitions, such as "The King's Musketeers," as well as temporary exhibitions.
• Summer activities: during the summer period, the fort regularly offers a variety of activities: treasure hunts, historical reenactments (notably Napoleonic and World War II), themed evenings (rock, 80s), etc., which add a lively dimension to the visit.
• From its heights, the fort offers a magnificent panorama of the north coast of the Île de Ré and the bay.
• The site can be privatized for events, festivities or seminars and also welcomes school groups.