European Heritage Days 2026: Fort de l'Estissac

The Fort de l'Estissac is opening its doors free of charge for European Heritage Days, which are dedicated to photographic heritage and heritage at risk.

Feel free to visit the fort on September 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Listed in the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments, this fort originally consisted of a cannon tower rising over two vaulted levels. It is characterized by its walls, which form a five-pointed star.
Following the English occupation in 1793, part of the tower was destroyed. During the Empire, the missing section was rebuilt on a square plan.

Initially decommissioned in 1885, the fort definitively lost its military function when it became the property of the Port-Cros National Park in 1997.

Its location overlooking the northern part of the island offers a remarkable panoramic view of the Hyères harbor.

Today, it hosts exhibitions open to the public during the summer months. During this time of year, free guided tours are offered Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30 a.m., departing from the Maison de Parc, as well as self-guided tours from 11:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

- Located a 20-minute walk from the village
- Estimated duration of self-guided tour: about 30 minutes
- Estimated duration of guided tour: about 1 hour and 30 minutes

If the Îles d'Or mountain ranges (including Port-Cros) are closed due to fire risk, Fort de l'Estissac will not be accessible.