Forts, Fortresses & castles in Brittany
Visitors to Brittany looking for forts and castles will not be disappointed. From the end of the 7th century, the Breton March was created as a buffer between France and the Bretons. In some of the fortress towns constructed along the border of Brittany, such as Vitre and Fougères, the ramparts are still an integral part of the town. Throughout the Middle Ages, during various conflicts with other European nations, France defended herself erecting many forts along the extensive coastline. Some of these designed and built by Vauban, one of the most celebrated military engineers famous for his fortifications. As defensive forts developed into extravagant residences, many such châteaux were built in Brittany. The 16th century Château de Kerjean being singled out and praised by Louis XIII.
This page is part of our Brittany Travel Guide. The information is curated by various members of the Archaeology Travel team, based on both personal visits and research.
Interactive Map of Forts & Castles in Brittany
Castles & Châteaux
Château de Fougères
Sited on a rocks outcrop in a river meander, the first construction here was a wooden motte-and-bailey fortress. This was replaced by a stone castle in 1166 following its destruction by the King of England. Over the next 500 years the castle played an important role defending Brittany due to its strategic position in the Breton Marches. From 1449 to 1488 the castle was in the hands of the English during the Hundred Year’s War. The castle lost its military role when in 1532 Claude of Brittany (daughter of the Duchess Anne) married the King of France. A self guided tour of the castle takes about 2 hours – free guided tours are also available.
Château de Saint-Malo
Building commenced in the early decades of the 15th century, with additions until the 18th century. The castle is also known as Château de la Duchesse Anne, after Anne of Brittany. Anne wanted the castle to be in the shape of carriage: four towers represent the wheels, the Great Dungeon the crate and the Pointe de la Galère, which extends the castle eastward, is the helm. The museums that were housed in the castle closed in 2019, today the castle houses the city’s town hall.
Château de Suscinio
A picturesque moated castle on the Rhuys Peninsula, initially built for leisure. During the 14th century it became fortified when the Dukes of Brittany had to defend their lands. By the 15th century it had developed into a grand residence, but retaining the features of a medieval fortified castle, including curtain wall, patrol path, drawbridge, loopholes, machicolations. Today a tour of the castles includes these architectural features. During July and August a spectacular 3-hour son et lumière recreates legends of King Arthur in Brittany.
Château de Vitré
Located on the Breton border, the castle has long been an important defensive point along the Marches of Brittany. The stone castle in its triangular shape was built in the early part of the 13th century, replacing an earlier Romanesque style fortification – of which only a doorway survives. Today the castle houses the town hall as well as a museum. Visitors are able to explore various parts of the castle, including the towers and the ramparts, from which there are spectacular views. Permanent exhibits in the museum tell the history of the castle and the town.
Hôtel Lagorce - Château de l'Hermine
Integrated into the city walls of Vannes is an 18th century mansion, that was called the Hôtel Lagorce. It is however still better known as Château de l’Hermine, the ruins on which the mansion was built. The residential and defensive castle was built for Duke John IV of Brittany, and was the principal home of the Dukes of Brittany during the 14th and 15th centuries. Nothing remains above ground of the original castle, recent archaeological excavations have unearthed parts of the courtyard and cellars. The building is currently being restored, to house the city’s new museum of fine arts.
Defensive & Military Forts
Vauban Tower Camaret-sur-Mer
Designed by Vauban in 1689, the tower is part of the fortifications of the Goulet de Brest. The three-level tower is flanked by walls, a guardhouse and a gun battery that can hold 11 cannons. A cannonball foundry was added at the time of the French Revolution. It is said that the tower is the only site to have seen Vauban at the time of a battle, that being on 18 June 1694 when he led a garrison repelling an Anglo-Dutch attack. As one of the finest examples of a sea fort, the fort was added the UNESCO List of World heritage Sites in 2008.
Medieval Walled Towns
Concarneau
Two parts make up Concarneau: the relatively modern town on the mainland and the medieval, walled town on a small island. In the earliest record of the island, from 1050 AD, mention is made of a community of monks who founded a church, around which the town grew. The 13th century fortifications were greatly developed in the 15th century, thanks to taxes collected by the Duke of Brittany. Recently restored, the city walls are exceptionally well preserved and make the town a popular attraction in Brittany.
Fougères
Once an important medieval centre for the shoemaking industry, but also well known for its glass-making, Fougères has almost certainly been inhabited since prehistory. It developed as a town in the 11th century to defend the borders of Brittany. The imposing castle is well preserved, but only a small section of the towns fortifications have survived. The most impressive part of which is the Notre Dame Gate, with its protective Virgin intact. The only surviving gate has a number of defensive features, including the double drawbridge, moat, embrasures and machicolations. The belfry, built in 1397, was the first to be built in Brittany.
Porte Mordelaise, Rennes
The Porte Mordelaise is one of the few surviving features of the 15th century ramparts that surrounded the city. It was also know as the ‘porte royale’ or ‘porte ducale’ because future Dukes had to swear their oath in front of the gate. With its two stone towers, carriage gate and drawbridge, this was the main entrance to the medieval city of Rennes. The towers are crowned with machiolations. To the left of the gate are further remnants of the wall.
Ramparts of Vannes
The impressive ramparts of Vannes, about three quarters of which still stand, were built, expanded and rebuilt from the 3rd century AD until the 17th century. The Romans were the first to fortify their city, then known as Darioritum. Louis XIV even sold the stone to raise money for his wars. Despite this, many architectural features have survived, ensuring the historical centre of the city retains its medieval feel. Not to be missed are the gardens just outside the eastern walls; a French style garden that looks charming throughout the year.
Saint-Malo Ramparts
The ramparts of Saint-Malo are an impressive granite wall that include eight principal gates. Construction of the walls began in the 12th century, with a major restoration following a fire in 1661. Between 1708 and 1742 they were extended by Siméon Garengeau, Vauban’s engineer, who was master of fortifications under Louis XIV. At round 2 km in length, the ramparts are perfect for a scenic stroll around the historic city at any time of the year, offering wonderful views of the sea and the nearby military forts.
Vitre
Vitre is one of a handful of French towns that have best retained a Medieval appearance and charm. Given the well preserved castle-fort, substantial ramparts that surround the old town, and then many characterful medieval streets within the confines of these ramparts, it is easy to see why this is the case. Obviously in a strategic location, the fortified castle and town were part of les Marches de Bretagne – a line of castles that stretched from Mont-Saint-Michel in north to Nantes in the south.
