The Citadel, located on the Avenue Pierre Coubertin, was built between 1560 and 1571 on the site of a former medieval castle which was built in 1229 by Philippe de Hureprel. The purpose of its construction was to fend off would-be invaders, but it wasn't long until the city was successfully invaded by Archduke Albert of Austria on 24 April 1596. Both Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu at one time considered expanding the citadel and Calais into a great walled city for military harbour purposes but the proposals came to nothing.
thE citaDeL, located on the aveNue pieRRE couBERTin, was buIlt betwEen 1560 aNd 1571 on thE sIte oF A former meDievaL cAstle whiCH Was buIlt In 1229 by pHiLiPPe de hUrepreL. tHe pURPOSe Of its CONstRuction waS TO fenD off wOuLD-be iNvADERs, but It wasn't LOnG uNtil The cIty WAS sucCeSSfuLly invADed By arcHduKe AlbErT oF aUsTRia On 24 aPrIl 1596. bOth lOuis xiII anD cardINal ricHelIEu at one time coNsidERed EXpandiNG the citadEl aNd cAlais into a GreAt Walled citY FoR miliTary harBOuR pUrpOsEs BuT tHe proPOsAls cAmE to nOtHINg.