Fort Mahon also known as Fort Vauban or Fort of Ambleteuse is located on the beach of the town of Ambleteuse, in the Pas-de-Calais, 13 km north of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Be careful not to confuse this site with the town of Fort-Mahon-Plage, in the Somme.
Its origin goes back to 1680, when Louis XIV of passage in the region decides to develop in Ambleteuse, at the mouth of the coastal river of Slack, a military port. Designed by Vauban, the fort was built from 1682 to 1690 to protect the shipyard of the port. But the project is abandoned soon after due to the frequent silting up of the harbor and currents that agitate the bay.
The fort is restored in 1803 by Napoleon who hopes to eventually land in England. He also built the estuary of the Slack (piers, wharves, dyke beachfront).
Half a century later, the fort and the site of Ambleteuse are again in the spotlight, while Napoleon III, this time, is allied to England against Russia.
Finally, during the Second World War, the fort is used by the Germans who build casemates of artillery.
Then this little jewel of the heritage is abandoned. He was saved in 1967 by an association of enthusiasts while the fort was vandalized and ruined. The ramparts are restored, then the cover. The interior fittings that dozens of men could occupy (tower, German pillbox) as the adjoining buildings are also renovated.
Having recovered its original appearance of the seventeenth century, with the modifications made by the German army, the fort which is surrounded by the sea at high tide is open to visit every Sunday from 15h to 18h from Easter to All Saints' Day and the weekends and holidays in July and August. Groups are admitted during the week but by reservation. Entry: 3 euros. Information on +33 3 20 54 61 54.
