Fort du Hâ, Medieval castle in Bordeaux, France
Fort du Hâ is a medieval fortification in Bordeaux with two surviving towers now integrated into the modern complex housing the National School of Magistracy and Palace of Justice. The remaining structures show construction techniques from different periods as the fortress was repeatedly modified over centuries.
King Charles VII ordered construction in 1456 after reclaiming Bordeaux from English forces during the Hundred Years War. Over 300 years later, it was converted into a state prison when France's political power shifted and imprisonment became its primary function.
The fortress held different meanings for different groups over time, serving as a symbol of political power and later as a place of confinement. Its role shifted as Bordeaux itself transformed, reflecting the city's changing priorities and conflicts.
Access to the remains is mainly available during European Heritage Days when guided tours are organized by the Bordeaux Tourism Office. It helps to plan ahead since regular access to the site is otherwise limited and visits depend on special opening periods.
During the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, the fortress offered shelter to Protestants fleeing religious violence. This episode reveals how a military stronghold unexpectedly became a refuge when political and religious conflicts threatened the city.
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