Sablanceau and Redoute of Rivedoux

Sablanceau and the Redoute of Rivedoux form a square-shaped fort with each side measuring 45 meters, featuring artillery positions and barracks buildings. Inside, a well and underground storage chambers were built to support extended occupation by military personnel.

Built in 1674 under Vauban's direction, this fort was constructed in response to the 1627 English invasion when 6,000 soldiers landed on the beach. Later modifications came during Napoleon III's reign in the 1860s, and it subsequently served German forces during World War II.

The name Rivedoux refers to the strategic coastal location where defense has long been central to the settlement's identity. Visitors can still see how military concerns shaped the physical design and layout of this fortified site.

The fort's exterior layout is accessible and its original structure remains clearly visible, making it easy for visitors to understand how it functioned without special preparation. The flat terrain surrounding the fortification is straightforward to navigate on foot and offers clear landmarks for orientation.

The fort displays multiple construction phases from different eras, with traces visible in its structure that document the site's shifting military role over centuries. This layering of different defensive approaches makes it a rare example of how coastal fortification evolved continuously along the French coast.

Location: Rivedoux-Plage

Inception: 1674

Architects: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

GPS coordinates: 46.16056,-1.25944

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01