Fort Carre: History of Antibes Star-Shaped Fortress

Fort Carre is a 16th-century star-shaped fortress standing on a 26-meter promontory overlooking the Baie des Anges. Built to defend the border between France and the Duchy of Savoy, it is a fine example of early modern military architecture. [Source: Structurae / Ministere de la Culture]

Construction (1536-1555)

The fort was ordered by King Henri II in the 1530s. The original design was the work of Italian military engineers. The fort was completed around 1555. [Source: Dictionnaire des Fortifications, 2015]

Vauban Redevelopment (Late 17th Century)

Vauban, Louis XIV military engineer (born 1633), inspected and redeveloped Fort Carre nearly a century after its construction. He did NOT design it. [Source: Archives Nationales]

The 1707 Siege

Fort Carre was besieged and captured by Austrian and Savoyard forces in 1707 during the War of Spanish Succession. It returned to France in 1713. [Source: Les Guerres de Succession, 2005]

Napoleon (1794)

Napoleon Bonaparte was briefly imprisoned at Fort Carre for 10 days in August 1794 after the fall of Robespierre. [Source: Napoleon: A Life, A. Roberts, 2014]

Visit Fort Carre

Open for guided tours. Panoramic views of Antibes and the Baie des Anges.