La Flotte : Strong

An essential element of the defense in the 17th century on the Ile de Ré, this fort prevented access to the island and transit it through the Breton pertuis. Established in 1625 by the architect of Argencourt, he is the oldest fort in Charente-Maritime, built from the ruins of the Romanesque abbey of the Châteliers. In 1628, modifications were made, in particular the addition of bastions and Redans in front of the future security enclosure or dungeon. The Knight of Clerville created a covered path with re -entrant weapons. Blondel has designed a new plan while preserving the old elements, adding a lower defense (counter-gardens, half-moons, new covered path, seafront). To prevent the intrusion of the sea into the fort and avoid the siltation of the port, a security speaker has been built, with a redanum in the center. On this glacis, a garrison building was erected. The subsequent work was carried out by Vauban, which required Ferry to raze the external installations while retaining the seafront. A battery was added to the end, allowing to control the fire with the Citadel of Saint-Martin and the coastal citadels to completely block the Breton pertuis with attackers. Between 1878 and 1880, cross-cuts and a new powder maker were built. The fort was disused around 1900.