The citadel was a critical defensive position for the French crown against the English during the Middle Ages.
The 13th-century 'Kings Tower' is the oldest structure remaining on the site, surviving the later 16th-century reconstructions.
During the First World War, the citadel served as the headquarters for the British General Headquarters (GHQ) led by Field Marshal Douglas Haig.
The outer walls are constructed with a combination of brick and local limestone, a common building technique in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.
The underground casemates were repurposed during the 20th century, including storage for historical archives.
The site has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1926.
A population of free-roaming peacocks frequently occupies the citadel courtyard and ramparts.
The citadel's defenses were once surrounded by a defensive ditch system that was intended to be flooded from the Canche river.
The Citadel of Montreuil is a 16th-century fortress built atop a site originally fortified in the 13th century by King Philip II of France. It serves as an example of Renaissance-era military architecture, featuring defensive bastions and deep moats that have been preserved since the era of the Wars of Religion. The site spans several hectares of ramparts, underground galleries, and an internal courtyard. A dedicated museum within the citadel houses a collection of items related to the history of Montreuil and the First World War. The ramparts provide unobstructed views over the Canche Valley and the surrounding Picardy landscape. It stands as the primary historical landmark of the walled town of Montreuil-sur-Mer.
The north-facing rampart walk overlooking the valley floor and the ancient town walls.
Walk the entire perimeter of the ramparts to see the full extent of the defensive layout and the town view.
Bring comfortable footwear as the path around the ramparts is uneven and includes steep gradients.
Check the museum entrance for temporary historical exhibitions that vary by season.
Attempting to explore the ramparts in heavy rain, as the ground becomes slippery; parking directly at the entrance as space is extremely limited.
Closed on Tuesdays; open daily during the main tourist season but may have restricted access to interior galleries during winter months.
No climbing on the historical masonry walls for safety and preservation reasons; maintain a respectful distance from the resident peacocks.
