Fort du Hâ

Fort du Hâ, built in 1456 by Charles VII, was a strategic fortress in Bordeaux, France, securing the city after the Hundred Years' War. It later housed royal troops and briefly served as a ducal residence for Charles de Valois.

By 1731, it became a prison, notorious for harsh conditions.

During the Second World War, Fort du Hâ was used by the Germans as a prison for political prisoners. On 15 December 1942, two RM commandos were brought in here for questioning by Kapitänleutnant Franz Drey in the presence of SD officers. The two, Mills and Laver, were involved in Opration Frankton. The two did not spend long here, probably only for questioning.

French collaborators, including Andrien Marquet, were also eventually interned here.

It remained active as prison until 1967. Today, it houses the École Nationale de la Magistrature, with remnants like the Tour des Minimes still standing.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Lennard Bolijn