 The old city of Saint-Martin, within the walls of the citadel, was added in 2008 to the World Heritage Site list, along with 11 others Fortifications of Vauban across France.During World War II, the beaches of the Île de Ré were fortified by German forces with bunkers, in order to block a possible seaward invasion.Many of the bunkers are still visible, in a more or less derelict state.