Bastion de France, Historic trading post ruins in El Kala, Algeria
Bastion de France is a former trading post near the Mediterranean coast with visible stone walls and foundations that show its past scale. The site once served as a secured base with structures for storage and operations, positioned on slightly elevated ground near El Kala.
The trading post was founded in 1561 to control and expand coral fishing operations in the region. It became an important link in the network connecting Mediterranean ports with North African fishing grounds for several centuries.
This site was where French merchants and local communities came together for business centered on coral fishing and trade. The place shows how closely European and North African markets were connected to each other.
The ruins are located near El Kala and are accessible through the town, which serves as the main base for visits. Wear appropriate footwear to navigate the uneven ground safely when exploring the site.
At its peak, this place employed hundreds of fishermen working with dozens of vessels to harvest coral from Mediterranean waters. This intensive fishing activity made it one of the major economic centers of its era.
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