citadelle
Citadelle is the French term for a citadel, a fortress or walled, fortified area that guards a city’s core, typically built on elevated ground or at a strategic chokepoint. The word derives from Latin civitas through Old French, and in historical use a citadelle served as a defensive stronghold, command center, and storehouse for arms and provisions during sieges or attacks.
In historical fortifications, citadelles were often integrated with surrounding walls and gates, designed to repel attackers
The term Citadelle also appears in contemporary toponymy and culture. The Citadelle of Québec, known in French
La Citadelle is also the title of the French edition of The Citadel, a 1937 novel by
Overall, Citadelle can denote a defensive fortress as well as several specific places, cultural works, and products