Stunning Seaside Strongholds in Charente Maritime

In 1666, Colbert decided to build, ex nihilo, a naval arsenal in Rochefort on the Charente River.

To protect the mouth of the Charente, a number of strongholds was erected along the coast and river. These edifices are accessible to the public. 

Fort and Fountain Lupin

The fort was built at the end of the XVIIIth century in order to ensure the protection of the mouth of the Charente, as well as the Royal Fountain. This fountain was erected in 1671 to supply the King’s ships in potable water from a source underneath the river. With those of Brest and Belle-Ile, the Fontaine Lupin remains one of the last three ships watering places of  France. The ships built in the Rochefort arsenal all stopped here. The frigate  L’Hermione, on which LaFayette set sail to America to help the Insurgents, was also fed here. The fort was built from 1683 to 1686 by the great engineer Vauban (1633-1707)and was listed in 1950. 

Fort Lupin (1683-86) by Vauban.

Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/21/fortlupincoteest_1.jpg

Fountain Lupin (1676) – Photo by the author. Copyright Francois Hagnere.

Fort Louvois

Located close to the bridge to the Isle of Oléron, the fort was initiated in 1690 by Marquis de Louvois, then War Minister of Louis XIV. The stonghold aimed at crossing the gunfire with the Citadel of Oléron, and protecting the access to Rochefort naval arsenal.  It is possible to reach Fort Louvois at low tide thanks to a path connecting it to the mainland. The works ended in 1694. These are the last coastal fortifications  ordered by Louis XIV. When Louvois died, Vauban reduced the project and gave the fort its final shape: a horseshoe. It was listed in 1929, shelled in 1944 and entirely restored in 1960. A museum installed in the fort enables to discover the oyster industry and a permanent exhibition displays the history of the edifice.

Fort Louvois (1690). Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/21/bourcefranclechapus012_1.jpg

Fort Enet

This stronghold was constructed upon order of Napoleon 1st, immediately after the terrible Battle of the Basque Roads (”Affaire des Brûlots” in French) when the British devastated the French Rochefort fleet in 1809. The role played by Fort Enet was at first to protect the Isle of Aix roadstead. The fort can be accessed and visited at low tide from the “Pointe de la Fumée” in Fouras.  It was mainly used as a transit prison for convicts.

Fort Enet. Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/21/fortc389netvueac3a9riennec3a0marc3a9ehaute_1.jpg

Fort Liédot

In 1808, Napoleon 1st, visiting the Isle of Aix, observes the ruins of the Fort de la Rade, destroyed after the place was sacked in 1757.   The Emperor gives the drawings for new fortifications that will be built from 1810 to 1834. The fort was intended to prevent any enemy landing. The fort consists of stone from Crazannes,  a famous stone quarry in the region. The same quality of stone was used for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The fort was mainly used as a jail.

Fort Liédot on the Isle of Aix. Image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/21/fortliedotcourc3aeled27aix_1.jpg

Fort Liédot on the Isle of Aix. image source: http://images.stanzapub.com/readers/2009/08/21/fortlic3a9dot5_1.jpg

Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, military engineer, architect and politician (1633-1707). Pastel by Hyacinthe Rigaud, 1703.

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