BASTION DE L'ETENDARD

The Bastion de l’Étendard, an iconic visitor attraction: you’ll be taken on a journey through the centuries and gain a better understanding of Bonifacio by visiting the Landscape Garden with its 10 viewpoints, as well as the ‘1,000 Years of History’ exhibition in the underground chambers. Dating from the 16th century and towering 25 metres above the harbour, the Bastion de l’Étendard is the tallest bastion in France. It is imposing and forms the centrepiece of the fortifications! The Landscape Garden: 10 vantage points to help you understand it all. The outdoor trail is so beautiful that it has been given this name. Allow 20 minutes for the walk to take in the bird’s-eye views of the harbour and the stunning panoramas of the cliffs and Sardinia. A description of the landscapes will be provided. The underground chambers: the ‘1,000 Years of Fortifications’ exhibition. Partly hewn out of the rock, the underground chambers are worth the visit in their own right! The rotunda-style vaults of the large circular chamber are reminiscent of the medieval architecture of the old defence tower… The exhibition, featuring a series of display panels and video projections, traces the history of the town’s fortifications. It is rich in visual material, some of which has never been seen before, yet remains accessible to everyone! A must-see for families: for children aged 7 to 12, ask for the activity booklet at the entrance. And for the little ones, don’t worry – they can also have fun trying on medieval helmets.