Entrevaux: From the Old Town to the Citadel
Already at the entrance to Entrebo you can see the towering fortress above the Old City. We parked outside the bridge, crossed it on foot and started to walk around the houses. The look from below gave us an idea of the rise that awaits us, but first we spent some time in the city itself.
Already at the entrance to Entrebo you can see the towering fortress above the Old City. We parked outside the bridge, crossed it on foot and started to walk around the houses. The look from below gave us an idea of the rise that awaits us, but first we spent some time in the city itself.
The fortifications of Entrevo are connected to the Vaban, the fortification engineer of Louis XIV in the 17th century. The bridge, the gates, the fortress, and the climbing road to it were designed as part of the city’s defensive layout. The winding path on which the observation is now being made was also used by this military system.
Start in the city below.
After crossing the bridge, we walked the streets, stopped to take pictures, and moved towards the beginning of the climb. The old city is also beautiful in itself, and it is worthwhile to make time to wander through it before climbing or after descending.
Rise: Relatively short, but steep
The hike took us about 2030 minutes and was strenuous. The trail climbs in turns, and on the way you can stop and look at the city and the valley. It is best to arrive with water and comfortable shoes and go up at a pace that suits you. For those who have difficulty in ascending or walking on uneven flooring, you can stay in the Old City and enjoy it without going up to the Citadel.
We visited during European Heritage Days and entered for free. The usual paid visit, and the price depends on the type of ticket and what it includes. It is worth checking out Official Citadel Page Before arrival.
Inside the fort
Inside the fort we passed through the guards' rooms and the prisoner's cells, and we saw a small display of cannon models. The structure itself was the main thing: the passages, the rooms and the look out helped to understand what the place looked like that guarded the city. The toilets at the entrance were very basic, of a sort of impact stamp.
The balcony in the commander's room was the point we liked the most. We looked from it at the city and valley, and the view certainly justified the effort in the ascent. Even if you stop to take pictures along the trail, it is worth leaving time to look at the view from inside the fortress.
Follow the road to Venus.
After we got down we moved again in the old town and went on to Through the view towards Cole de Vance On our way to the hotel.Le Floréal That same day we also visited Chiance ravine If a similar route is planned, it is worth taking into account the driving time and effort on the rise to the fort.
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