Fort Vauban

In the 11th century, the castle of Fouras was erected to control the estuary of the Charente and to introduce a toll.

The creation of the Rochefort Dockyard in 1666 made it a centrepiece of the system for defending the approaches of the Charente, which is prohibited from entering. At the end of the 17th century, François Ferry, the engineer of King Louis XIV, transformed the old feudal residence into a “fort at the sea.” Today classified as a Historical Monument, the castle houses a museum of regional history. Free entrance or guided tour of the fortification and the underground parts of the keep (crypt) at 2 p.m every day (except Monday) between June 1st and the third weekend of September.

Show less