Strong of the Rade

The tour around the island of Aix, Fort de la Rade, on the southern tip of the island, the one that's near Sainte Catherine, is one of the most interesting trips you can take. The fort was built in 1703, and, from here, the troops could control access to Aix. In 1757, the fort was completely destroyed by the British attack in 1778. The fort now faced a new threat from the Royal Navy, the Marquis de Montalembert rebuilt it. Its fortifications were designed in 1699 by Vauban, who undertook the construction of a citadel with five walls. Today, the fort houses a residential hotel, a campground and a sailing school.