Accor and Banque des Territoires Join Forces for the Revival of La Citadelle Vauban in Belle-Île-en-Mer

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, today announced a strategic partnership with Banque des Territoires (Caisse des Dépôts group), which is joining the revival project of La Citadelle Vauban in Belle-Île-en-Mer as a long-term investor. This alliance marks a major step in the transformation of one of the most emblematic historical monuments on the French coast, set to become, by 2027, the first French address of Emblems Collection, Accor’s latest luxury brand. This partnership illustrates a shared ambition: to demonstrate that it is possible to combine heritage restoration, economic development, regional attractiveness, and cultural transmission.

“The revival of La Citadelle Vauban is much more than a hotel project. It is a heritage, cultural, and regional project that aims to bring an exceptional monument back to life while creating lasting value for Belle-Île. By welcoming Banque des Territoires alongside us today, we strengthen this common ambition: to preserve unique heritage by giving it a sustainable future open to its region.”

— Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems

“By committing alongside Accor to revive La Citadelle Vauban, through the Territoires d’Histoire(s) program, we are not only investing in exceptional heritage but also in the future of the Breton region. Our role as an investor in the public interest makes full sense here: to bring to life a project that combines heritage preservation, tourist attractiveness, and local economic dynamism.”

— Olivier Sichel, CEO of Caisse des Dépôts



An Alliance Dedicated to Exceptional Heritage

Dominating the entrance to Le Palais port for nearly five centuries, La Citadelle Vauban is a major monument in the history of Belle-Île-en-Mer and national heritage. Fully classified as a historical monument and closed for several years, this heritage complex is now undergoing an ambitious restoration program aimed at preserving its historical identity while offering it a new future.

Through this partnership, Accor and Banque des Territoires combine their expertise to ensure the restoration, enhancement, and sustainable operation of the site. Banque des Territoires, through its Territoires d’Histoire(s) program, acts as an equity investor, with a long-term commitment to heritage and the tourist and cultural attractiveness of the regions, while Accor leads the project development and will manage the future hotel destination.

The project also benefits from the support of the Fondation du patrimoine, as part of a partnership between Banque des Territoires, through its Territoires d’Histoire(s) program sponsored by Stéphane Bern, and the Fondation du patrimoine. These two institutions work together to identify projects with economic and tourist impact in rural areas and to consider their co-financing. La Citadelle Vauban site is thus the first project of this partnership. As such, the Fondation du patrimoine will provide exceptional support for the restoration of emblematic pieces from La Citadelle of Belle-Île museum (paintings, plans, engravings, ship models). Upon its reopening to the public, the museum will offer a tour focused on the island’s defensive and military history, as well as an outdoor route.

“The best way to transmit heritage is to find a use for it. The project to transform La Citadelle Vauban into a hotel and museum is the best guarantee of its longevity. The Fondation du patrimoine is pleased to support the preservation of the museum’s collections.”

— Alexandre Giuglaris, CEO of the Fondation du patrimoine

Furthermore, Caisse d’Épargne Bretagne acts as a banking partner for the project’s financing.

Restoring a Monument, Revealing a Destination

Beyond architectural restoration, the project has a much broader ambition: to make La Citadelle Vauban an open, vibrant destination deeply rooted in Belle-Île-en-Mer.

Upon its opening, scheduled for summer 2027, La Citadelle Vauban will host a 90-key Emblems Collection hotel (57 rooms, 24 suites, 6 duplexes, 2 apartments, 1 house), two restaurants, a bar, a wellness destination spanning nearly 2,000 sqm, seminar spaces, and a completely redesigned museum by Studio Adrien Gardère, accessible to visitors and residents of Belle-Île.

Conceived as a true cultural journey, this museum will reconnect with the site’s history while offering an immersive experience linking built heritage, landscapes, biodiversity, and local memory.

Restoration work is being carried out with the utmost respect for the historical monument, notably under the direction of Valode & Pistre Architectes and Pierre-Antoine Gatier, Chief Architect of Historical Monuments. They reflect a constant desire to foster dialogue between heritage and contemporary uses, in the spirit of Emblems Collection.

A Project for Belle-Île-en-Mer

Beyond its heritage dimension, the revival of La Citadelle Vauban constitutes a regional development project.

Ultimately, the site will become the largest private employer on Belle-Île, with over 100 permanent employees and nearly 70 seasonal jobs. The project will also promote partnerships with local businesses, producers, artisans, and suppliers to maximize economic benefits for the Breton island.

Particular attention is paid to the preservation of ecosystems, the reduction of the project’s environmental footprint, the training of future employees, and the cultural accessibility of the site.

The entry of Banque des Territoires into the project marks a new phase in La Citadelle Vauban’s revival and confirms Accor’s ambition for this emblematic address.

Visuals available here.

About Banque des Territoires and the Territoires d’Histoire(s) program

La Banque des Territoires is one of the business lines of Caisse des Dépôts. It brings together internal expertise aimed at local areas. As a single point of entry for its clients, it works alongside all regional stakeholders: local authorities, local public companies, social housing organizations, legal professions, businesses, and financial players. It supports them in carrying out their public interest projects by offering a continuum of solutions: advice, loans, equity investments, consignments, and banking services. By addressing all territories, from rural areas to metropolitan centers, Banque des Territoires aims to maximize its impact, particularly in terms of ecological transformation and social and territorial cohesion. The 37 local branches of Banque des Territoires ensure the deployment of its actions across all metropolitan and overseas territories.

The Territoires d’Histoire(s) program, initiated and deployed by Banque des Territoires through its network of 37 regional branches, is a national program launched in 2025 aimed at accelerating the development (via financing solutions) of economic projects within cultural heritage sites, serving the tourist attractiveness of territories and local life. Banque des Territoires aims to support the development of around fifty tourist and cultural projects by 2030.

Acting together to develop greener and more inclusive territories.

About Accor

Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,800 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as lifestyle, with Ennismore. ALL Accor, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor’s mission is reflected in the Group’s purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) For more information, visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

About Emblems Collection

Emblems Collection is a curated portfolio of exceptional luxury hotels and resorts worldwide. From iconic heritage mansions to serene nature retreats and striking architectural signatures, each property embodies culture, creativity, and craftsmanship. With a refined sense of place and understated elegance, Emblems offers exclusive experiences for discerning travellers. Found in prime city locations or breathtaking natural settings, these hotels blend intimate, residential charm with world-class hospitality. The first Emblems property will debut in Europe in 2025, with a goal of 60 establishments globally by 2032. Emblems Collection is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with 5,700 hotels in over 110 countries and a participating brand in ALL Accor, a loyalty program and booking platform providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

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Full Image Caption

From left to right: Thibault Grollemund, Mayor of Le Palais; Christophe Pinault, Chairman of Caisse d’Épargne Bretagne–Pays de la Loire; Michael Galy, Prefect of Morbihan; Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accor; Alexandre Giuglaris, Managing Director of the Fondation du Patrimoine; Florence Bessy, Sub-Prefect of Lorient; Maud Bailly, Chief Executive Officer of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems; Olivier Sichel, Chief Executive Officer of Caisse des Dépôts and Banque des Territoires; Stéphane Bern, Lead of the French Heritage Mission and Patron of Territoires d’Histoire(s); Christian Mantei, Chairman of Atout France; Camille Rives, Investment Manager, Banque des Territoires; and Karine Bellec, Vice President of the Morbihan Departmental Council.