Fort Saint-Louis de Toulon, also called Fort des Vignettes, is located on the Frédéric-Mistral corniche, near the beaches of Mourillon.
It was first built on the initiative of Francis I in 1534 to prevent the intrigues of Muslim troops, such as the one that had ravaged the port city in 1530.
It was considerably improved and reinforced at the end of the 17th century under the orders of Vauban. Not only could the fort then defend the entrance to the harbor, but it also aimed to fortify the entire city and its arsenal.
Partially destroyed in 1707 (but it then made it possible to prevent the invasion of Provence by pushing back Sardinian troops), it was rebuilt identically from 1708.
Note however that if, at the At the time, it was literally surrounded by the sea, since then it has been linked to the coast by a median adjoining the small adjoining port which allows fishing boats to "dry out".
On the sea side, the building has a semi-elliptical shape, but on the land side, its re-entrant angle supports a small flat bastion in the form of a casemate. This houses a powder store, an oven, a cistern, a fireplace. On the back, to the left and to the right of the small bastion, are notably embrasures each armed with a cannon.
Protected as historical monuments, the fort is still the property of the French Navy and cannot be visited. Its silhouette nevertheless contributes to the singular and picturesque character of this part of the city and every August 15, a pyrotechnic show depicting its conflagration is a popular meeting place for residents and tourists alike.
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