Fort de la Hougue

Fort de la Hougue is a Vauban-era coastal fortress at Saint‑Vaast‑la‑Hougue, built after the French naval defeat of 1692 to secure the bay against further attacks.

After the destruction of twelve French ships by the Anglo‑Dutch fleet at the Battle of La Hougue, Louis XIV ordered Vauban to fortify the site. Construction began in 1694 under engineer Benjamin de Combes, who built the great stone tower and surrounding works on the headland, paired with a similar tower on nearby Tatihou Island. Together they created interlocking fields of fire to protect the anchorage.

The fort remained in use through the 18th and 19th centuries, with new batteries and barracks added, and was later occupied by German forces during the Second World War.

On 28 September 1941, Troop A of No. 1 Commando landed at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and ambushed a German patrol.

Though its military role declined, it survived as a landmark of coastal defence. In 2008, the towers of La Hougue and Tatihou were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Fortifications of Vauban.” Today the site is open to visitors.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: Nitot