Colmars (Collis Martis) is an ancient city founded by the Romans. It became strategic in the Middle Ages (just like Entrevaux and Seyne-les-Alpes), when the border between the county of Provence and the then independent Duchy of Savoy was located a few km from the village. Its first fortifications were built in 1388, when the nearby towns of Allos and Barcelonnette became part of Savoy.
In previous centuries, the village suffered two fires. A first in 1390, then a second in 1672.
But in 1692, Savoy joined the league of Augsburg (union of many countries against France). Louis XIV then instructed Vauban to review the entire defensive system of the city. Vauban, who could not come on site, sent Antoine Niquet and Guy Creuzet de Richerand on site to build the fortifications. Niquet restores the medieval enclosure and adds 5 towers, Richerand builds 2 forts (now called Fort de Savoie and Fort de France). These two forts were built in 3 years, between 1693 and 1696.
Today, Colmars is a stronghold which has kept its defensive system intact. You can still see its 2 beautiful fortifications, its walkway and its pretty stone houses.

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Elevation 1,280 m

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Location: Colmars, Castellane, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur, France

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Fortifications of Colmars

1. Col des Champs - Mercantour National Park

2. Gorges du Bachelard – Barcelonnette loop from Jausiers

3. Fortifications of Colmars – Pont loop from Colmars

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