Along the entire coastline, old maritime fortresses are witness to the eventful centuries when Brittany was forced to protect itself from attack by the English Navy.
Most constitute part of the Breton coastal defences established by Vauban under the reign of Louis XIV.
From the Fort National at Saint-Malo to the Château du Taureau at Morlaix, via Fort la Latte at Fréhel, the fortifications are arranged along the coast, covering every strategic point.
On the southern coast the citadel of Port Louis protects the entrance to the Lorient roadways, and the Vauban citadel at BelleÎle controls entry to the port of Palais. The latter has all the traditional features of coastal fortifications with its bastions and demilunes.
