Construction of the fort 1858–1866 (≈ 1862)
Built for 400 soldiers on the site of a menhir.
1871
From barracks to jail
From barracks to jail 1871 (≈ 1871)
Use as a state prison after 1871.
novembre 1945–juin 1951
Detention of Pétain
Detention of Pétain novembre 1945–juin 1951 (≈ 1948)
Transferred here after his conviction.
28 décembre 1984
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 28 décembre 1984 (≈ 1984)
Listing of HMs.
2005
Installation of the capital
Installation of the capital 2005 (≈ 2005)
Provisional party room became permanent.
2013
Launch of the festival
Launch of the festival 2013 (≈ 2013)
*Come to my island* attracts 2,500 visitors.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fort de Pierre-Levée, including ditches and counterscarps (Box AN 2): inscription by order of 28 December 1984
Key figures
Philippe Pétain - Former French Head of State
Held at Fort 1945-1951.
Charles de Gaulle - President of the Provisional Government
Come on, Petain.
Origin and history
The Fort of Pierre-Levée, also known as the Citadelle, is a military fortification built between 1858 and 1866 on the island of Yeu in Vendée. Its name comes from a giant menhir, the Pierre Levée, who once occupied the razed hill for its construction. This menhir, moved to the port, was finally dismantled by the inhabitants to build their houses. The fort, designed to house 400 soldiers, replaces ancient Napoleonic fortifications in the shape of a quadrilateral, composed of bastions and a bezel.
From 1871, the site alternates between barracks and state prison. After World War II, he welcomed Philippe Pétain, sentenced to death and then pardoned by de Gaulle. Transferred from Portalet Fort in November 1945, he remained there until June 1951, before being allowed to finish his days in Port-Joinville. The fort, registered with the Historical Monuments in 1984, then became a holiday colony in the 1960s, then a cultural and associative place (music, clubs, radio Neptune FM).
Since 2005, a capital located in its courtyard serves as an additional holiday room, after the renovation of the Casino, a municipal hall in Port-Joinville. Today, the fort also houses the Festival Come to My Island, attracting 2,500 annual visitors since 2013. Its 19th century classical architecture and prison history make it a heritage symbol of the island of Yeu.
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