Fort Mahon

Fort Mahon is a stone fortification at the mouth of the Slack River, built with thick walls to house coastal artillery guns. The structure features multiple bastions and buildings arranged around a central courtyard.

Military architect Vauban built this fortification in 1680 under orders from King Louis XIV to protect the harbor. The fort underwent several modifications over time and suffered damage during World War II, which was later restored.

The fort bears the name of a French naval commander and shows how people here valued coastal protection. You can see through the buildings and gun placements how much this location mattered for defending the shoreline.

The site is easily accessible and offers views of the river and coast from the ramparts. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since there are many uneven paths and stairs throughout the fort.

The fort was once accessible only through tidal gates and would become surrounded by water at high tide. This defensive strategy made it difficult to attack and still shapes how the site relates to the changing tides today.

Location: Ambleteuse

Architects: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

Website: https://fortdambleteuse.com

GPS coordinates: 50.80528,1.60056

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:40