Redoute de l'Aiguille, Listed historical fort in Fouras, France

The Redoute de l'Aiguille is a listed historical fort in Fouras, on the Atlantic coast of France. It has a large square footprint with two vaulted underground rooms called casemates in the southern corners and a courtyard once entered through a door on the south side.

Built between 1673 and 1674 at the narrowest point of the Fouras peninsula, the redoubt was meant to stop an English landing via the Pointe de la Fumée and formed part of the defence line guarding the mouth of the Charente. Its low profile kept it hidden from the ocean and better able to withstand naval gunfire. The municipality of Fouras acquired it in 2001, the year it was inscribed as a monument historique by decree of 19 September 2001.

The name comes from the Pointe de l'Aiguille, the narrow tip of the Fouras peninsula where the redoubt stands at the water's edge. Built between 1673 and 1674, it formed part of the defence line guarding the mouth of the Charente against an English landing via the Pointe de la Fumée. Its low profile kept it hard to spot from the ocean and better able to withstand naval gunfire.

Parts of the fort have been altered over time, so walking around the outside first gives a good overall sense of the structure. The southern side, which meets the water, is best seen at low tide when more of the base is exposed.

The northern side of the fort, once used as barracks, was partly demolished and replaced with a concrete hangar at some point in the 20th century. This contrast between old stone walls and bare concrete is one of the more unexpected things you notice when walking around the site.