Built in 1625-1626 by engineers Pierre de Conti d'Argencourt and Le Camus to keep watch over La Rochelle during the siege led by Louis XIII and Richelieu, the fort was used the following year by commander Toiras to repel the English landing led by the Duke of Buckingham, sent to support the besieged city. In the 1680s, engineer Vauban judged the fort cramped and short of fresh water, and had three outer defensive rings demolished and replaced with a covered way and glacis, while keeping the original star-shaped fort (sources: Wikipedia, "Fort de La Prée"; bernezac.com). The site is today part of the Réseau des sites majeurs Vauban. Bought in 1981 by the CNOSAP association, it reopened to the public in 2005 and now offers a full private hire, arms rooms, chapel, former chaplain's quarters and inner courtyard included, for a day or a weekend private reception, on request through the fort's event coordinator.
Culture & HeritageAll year round
Private hire of Fort de la Prée, a 17th-century stronghold on Île de Ré
Built in 1625-1626 opposite La Rochelle and later reworked under Vauban, this small star-shaped fortress on Île de Ré can be hired in full, arms rooms, chapel and inner courtyard included, for a private reception or event.