The Citadel
Once, there was an abandonned and old military fort. But this fort, also called "Citadel" had a soul so that it was decided to bring it back to life.
After much work , the most modern Artistic Studio in France was born.
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The Citadel |
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Once, there was an abandonned and old military fort. But this fort, also called "Citadel" had a soul so that it was decided to bring it back to life. After much work , the most modern Artistic Studio in France was born. |
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The old fortress, called Citadel, is composed of a central square place surrounded with rooms of different uses (living rooms, working rooms, prison).
All the rooms are arched with stones. To avoid fire, wood has been excluded in the construction. The platform is protected by a stonewall with view points, directly above the moat. A drawbridge gave access to the Citadel. The moat today is brought up to ground level at the entrance.
The fortress has been built during the 19th century, between 1860 and 1862. In 1872, a military law reinforced the army, and soldiers stayed in the citadel until 1875.
The Citadel was deserted.
After the Fachoda matter in 1898 (incident between the English and the French which took place in Fachoda-today called Kodok in Soudan) and fearing fight with England, the deserted Citadel was re-armed (11th January 1899): from Langres came the artillery and from St Brieuc came the 71th soldier company. The Citadel has never been invaded.
For a long time, people from Bréhat found shelter in the Citadel. The last person left the Citadel in the late 80's.
THE CITADEL FINDS GLASS
The renovation of the Citadel started in April 1998, in the aim of creating a centre of Glass Art and Craftmanship. The Verreries de Brehat started to produce in December 1998.