Batterie de Zuydcoote, Military fortress in Leffrinckoucke, France.
Batterie de Zuydcoote is a coastal fortress built entirely from yellow brick that sits naturally within the dune landscape of northern France. The structure contains gun casemates and fortified positions arranged to defend against sea approaches.
The fortress was built between 1877 and 1878 as part of France's coastal defense strategy to protect Dunkirk from naval attacks. It formed one element of a larger system of defenses positioned along the northern coast.
The fortification shows how military structures were integrated into the local dune landscape rather than dominating it. Visitors can observe the original firing positions and lookout points that shaped how soldiers lived and worked within these brick walls.
The site sits directly on the coast and is best accessed by walking along the beach between neighboring towns. Visiting at low tide reveals more of the structure and makes exploration easier.
The battery was never modernized with concrete reinforcements like many similar fortifications, keeping its original brick construction intact. This unchanged appearance makes it a rare example of late 1800s military architecture in its authentic state.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
