Fort Médoc

About

Fort Médoc is a military complex located in the commune of Cussac-Fort-Médoc, in the French department of Gironde. His earthworks began in 1689 and those of construction in 1691. They are made by architect Pierre Duplessy-Michel and engineer Ferry under the direction of Vauban.

Designed as one of the elements of the "lock" designed to protect Bordeaux from the risks of military attacks by river, the fort, established on the left bank of the Gironde estuary, completes the defensive device consisting of Fort Paté, on the island Paté, and the citadel of Blaye, located on the right bank of the Gironde. Typical of the fortification model carried out by the French strategist, the site was partially listed as a historical monument in 1956 and partially classified in 1968 before being fully classified in 2008. On July 7, 2008, Fort Médoc (with the Blaye citadel and Fort Paté) was one of twelve sites integrated into the network of major sites of Vauban, promoted to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.