Musée d’Art et d’Histoire de la Citadelle Vauban
Art and history museum of the Vauban Citadel on Belle-Île, closed for an indefinite period; reopening is announced from summer 2027.
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About the museum
The Citadel of Le Palais overlooks the harbor of Belle-Île-en-Mer. The island became important at the beginning of the Middle Ages under the management of Benedictine monks, and was later fortified by the Crown and by the Gondi family. After Nicolas Fouquet bought the island in 1658 and it returned to Louis XIV, Vauban arrived there in March 1683 and integrated the citadel into a defense system for the whole island. The British captured it in 1761.
After losing its strategic importance, the citadel gradually fell into ruin. In 1960 the state sold it to André and Anna Larquetoux, who spent forty-five years restoring it. They gathered paintings, books, ship models, ex-votos and nautical charts, which form the core of the art and history museum at the heart of the site.
The museum is closed until further notice. A restoration project led by the Accor group and the Banque des Territoires foresees a reopening in summer 2027 as a 90-room hotel. The museum is to be fully redeveloped and will present the military and defensive history of the island, with an outdoor trail.
Highlights
- Fortified citadel overlooking the harbor of Le Palais
- Fortifications designed by Vauban from 1683
- Collection of paintings, ex-votos, nautical charts and ship models
- Museum to be fully redeveloped at reopening
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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