Fort de Penthièvre

Fort de Penthièvre is a stone fortress positioned at the narrowest point of the Quiberon peninsula, commanding access to the strategic coastal area. The structure features ramparts and bastions typical of 18th-century coastal defense works.

Construction began in 1747 under Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon to defend Brittany against coastal raids. The fort was renamed during the French Revolution and endured a four-day siege in 1795 that ended due to supply shortages.

A memorial on the grounds honors 59 resistance fighters executed during World War II. This site serves as a place where visitors can acknowledge a difficult chapter in the region's past.

Public access to the fort is limited since it continues to function as a training facility for the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment based in Vannes. Check in advance about possible visiting hours or guided tour availability.

During the French Revolution the fort was renamed Fort Sans-Culotte in 1795, a name reflecting revolutionary ideology. This change reveals how political upheaval of that era affected even military installations.

Location: Saint-Pierre-Quiberon

Inception: 1748

Made from material: stone

Address: Penthièvre

Website: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_de_Penthi%C3%A8vre

GPS coordinates: 47.54350,-3.13679

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:40