Who built fort Médoc?

Architect Pierre Duplessy-Michel and engineer Ferry built it between 1689 and 1691 under Vauban's direction.

What was fort Médoc used for?

Together with the citadel of Blaye and fort Paté, it was meant to stop enemy ships from sailing up the Gironde estuary to Bordeaux.

Did fort Médoc ever see fighting?

No, its military role remained negligible and it never came under attack.

Is fort Médoc a listed historic monument?

Yes, it is a listed historic monument, fully protected since a 2008 order after an earlier partial listing in 1956.

Fort Médoc

Cussac-Fort-Médoc

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Where: Cussac-Fort-Médoc

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Open within 20 km

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Fort Médoc stands in Cussac-Fort-Médoc (Gironde), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: fourth quarter of the 17th century). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

Guarding the river approach to Bordeaux, fort Médoc formed a defensive trio alongside the citadel of Blaye and fort Paté, all designed by Vauban near the close of the 17th century on the Gironde's western shore. Marshy ground had to be drained and consolidated before the stronghold could rise between 1689 and 1691, taking the form of a trapezoid reinforced with four bastions. Inside, a royal gate leads to a broad courtyard surrounded by a chapel, a bakery, a powder magazine and barracks now left in ruins. No battle was ever fought there, leaving the fortifications preserved as a model of military architecture.

Written from Fort Médoc

This place also features in Vauban’s citadels and forts

What to know

The fort is visited on foot, on flat but extensive grounds covering around 25 hectares.
The barrack buildings survive only as ruins, so only certain built sections can be visited.
The site belongs to the network of major Vauban fortifications listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
There are no underground structures, since the marshy soil made this impossible at the time of construction.

Where this château is

Cussac-Fort-Médoc · Gironde · Nouvelle-Aquitaine

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Gironde

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00083534
Period of construction: fourth quarter of the 17th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Who built fort Médoc?: Architect Pierre Duplessy-Michel and engineer Ferry built it between 1689 and 1691 under Vauban's direction.
What was fort Médoc used for?: Together with the citadel of Blaye and fort Paté, it was meant to stop enemy ships from sailing up the Gironde estuary to Bordeaux.
Did fort Médoc ever see fighting?: No, its military role remained negligible and it never came under attack.
Is fort Médoc a listed historic monument?: Yes, it is a listed historic monument, fully protected since a 2008 order after an earlier partial listing in 1956.