The forts, batteries and gun towers form the defence and surveillance system of the Rade, from Bormes-les-Mimosas to Six Fours-les-Plages via the Hyères islands. They bear witness to the region’s military history, and today contribute to the cultural and heritage enrichment of the area.
One of the Var’s most famous fortified buildings is the Fort de Brégançon in Bormes-les-Mimosas. Perched on a 30-metre-high rocky outcrop, this former French coastal defence post has stood the test of centuries. Since 1968, it has served as a summer residence for French presidents. The fort is open to visitors.
Fort du Pradeau (or Tour Fondue, in Hyères) stands at the southern end of the Giens peninsula, offering a view of the Mediterranean Sea. Restored in 2022, the Pradeau battery has been completely refurbished and now houses an exhibition centre showcasing the flora and fauna of the Port-Cros National Park.
In the Toulon area, the Tour Royale is the first in a long series of forts designed to protect the strategic Toulon roadstead. Together with Fort Balaguier and Fort de l’Eguilette (La Seyne-sur-Mer), they formed a strategic ensemble designed to block access to the small Toulon roadstead. Today, the Tour Royale hosts a number of cultural events, while Fort Balaguier is a museum dedicated to the underwater world.