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Origin and history

The fort of Ambletuse, also named fort Vauban or fort Mahon, was built at the end of the seventeenth century (1680) by Vauban on the order of Louis XIV to protect the mouth of the Slack and a war port. Originally called the Ambleuse Tower in official documents, it was renamed Fort Mahon in 1840, probably because of an administrative error. This name persisted until Dr.Méreau created in 1967 the Association of Friends of Fort d'Ambleuse, then formalizing its current name.

During the Second World War, the fort served as a prison for foreign forced workers and survived the allied bombings. Damaged in 1945 by the explosion of marine mines, it was restored thanks to the commitment of Dr. Méreau and geologist Destombes. The association, owner since 1967 for a symbolic franc, led three major restoration projects (reparts, ancillary buildings, roofing) with the support of the State, the department of Pas-de-Calais and patrons such as the Fondation du Patrimoine.

Ranked a historic monument in 1965, the fort is a rare example of preserved maritime fortification between Cherbourg and the Belgian border. Its architecture combines an artillery tower protected by a horse-drawn iron bulwark, a redan gun square, and a German casemate of World War II. Today, open to the public, it houses exhibitions on local history, including six relief plans tracing the evolution of Ambleuse since the citadel of Henri VIII. An orientation table at the top offers views of the strait.

The fort is accessible on foot at low tide but can be isolated by the sea during high tides. Managed entirely by volunteers, it illustrates a unique model of heritage preservation by a private association, without permanent grants. Visits are possible on Sundays, from Easter to All Saints.

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