Dimanche découverte – Bastions, remparts et citadelle

In Chalon-sur-Saône, the fortifications of the northern front were built under the reign of Henri II, from 1547 to 1555, by Girolamo Bellarmato, a Sienese engineer and professor of mathematics and astronomy banished from Siena, who came to France at the request of François I.

Bellarmato synthesised French and Italian research, as shown by the bastions of St Vincent, St Paul, St Peter and the royal bastion of Chalon-sur-Saône (around 1550).

Immediately after the capture of the town by the Protestants in 1562, it was decided to strengthen the town's defence; the abbey of St Peter was transformed into a garrison and its church was used as a stone quarry in 1582. New ramparts were built towards the town. Supplemented by ditches, these elements were clearly directed against the inhabitants to guard against revolts, in the context of the Wars of Religion.

During this visit, the guide will give you details of the remains of these fortifications, whose rare heritage interest has been demonstrated on a European scale.