The main entrance to the citadel/fortress of Port-Louis in Brittany

Port-Louis – Citadel/Fortress

Port-Louis is quite a small town with not much going for it, apart from this enormous and incredible fortress (a citadel). It’s located across the bay from Lorient (there’s even a ferry service from Lorient to Port-Louis).

The fortress (a citadel) was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century, and then modified in the 17th century by the French.

Citadel marking on the Port-Louis fortress in Brittany
Citadel marking on the Port-Louis fortress in Brittany

Initially in 1485 the Duke of Brittany wanted to place fortifications here in order to defend Lorient, but he did not have sufficient money and the project was put on hold. In 1590 the Spaniards who were allied with a French force opposing the Dukes, invaded the city and constructed the fort.

Large moat at the citadel of Port-Louis in Brittany
Large moat at the citadel of Port-Louis in Brittany

The fortress is built in a double gate with two moats and a bridge joining the first reinforced structure to the main fort.

Defensive position in the main portion of the citadel of Port-Louis
Defensive position in the main portion of the citadel of Port-Louis

Even the famous fort architect, Vauban, worked on the citadel, but only on a few of the buildings. It was King Louis XIII who ordered the most important updates to the fort.

Deep and wide moat at the citadel of Port-Louis
Deep and wide moat at the citadel of Port-Louis

Today the citadel houses several museums:

  • Museum of the French East India Company (Musee de la Compagnie des Indes)
  • Museum of Naval Weapons (Musee des Armes Navales)
  • Museum of Port-Louis and the Citadel (Musee de Port-Louis et de la Citadelle)
  • Museum of the Arsenal (Musee de l’Arsenal)

Main entrance of the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
Main entrance of the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany

The fortress as also used by the Germans during WWI. Concrete bunkers were place at the extremities and used to keep boat traffic safe from the Allies.

German WWII bunker in the fortress/citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
German WWII bunker in the fortress/citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany

Outside the citadel, along the public gardens you will find several monuments and graves of resistant fighters who were executed by the Germans during WWII.

TombMemorialGravesBush
French resistance fighter tombstone outside the citadel of Port-Louis, BrittanyFrench resistance fighter tombstone outside the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
Memorial for the French resistance fighters executed during WWII outside the citadel of Port-Louis, BrittanyMemorial for the French resistance fighters executed during WWII outside the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
Tombs of the French resistance fighters executed during WWII outside the citadel of Port-Louis, BrittanyTombs of the French resistance fighters executed during WWII outside the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
Bush, in the form of the Lorraine Cross, symbol of the French Free Fighters, to be found outside the citadel of Port-LouisBush, in the form of the Lorraine Cross, symbol of the French Free Fighters, to be found outside the citadel of Port-Louis

Conclusion

If you are in Lorient, a visit to the citadel is of order. Take a ferry to the Port-Louis area. The ferry leaves from La Base (where the German submarine pens are located).

The museum is not always open, and most of the visit is on the outside (in other words, if it’s raining, you’ll get wet).

The tall walls of the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany
The tall walls of the citadel of Port-Louis, Brittany

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