Construction period Antiquité (Âge du Fer) (≈ 212)
Oppidum celte active.
1979
First entry MH
First entry MH 1979 (≈ 1979)
Initial protection of camp remains.
1996
Supplementary registration
Supplementary registration 1996 (≈ 1996)
Extension to new plots discovered.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Gallic Camp (Box AP 34-36, 39, 40, 57-70, 73-76, 78, 79, 81-85, 136, 169, 179, 180, 184, 185): by order of 30 January 1996
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources do not mention any historical actors.
Origin and history
The Protohistoric Camp of Penchâteau is a Celtic oppidum, emblematic of antiquity, located in the commune of Pouliguen, in the Loire-Atlantique. This archaeological site, located by the sea on the tip of Penchâteau, illustrates the Gaulish occupation in this coastal region. Its strategic location, south of the city, suggests a defensive or commercial role related to maritime proximity.
The camp was recognized for its heritage value by being listed as historic monuments in 1979. A second inscription in 1996 extended this protection to later discovered remains on adjacent plots. These measures reflect the importance of archaeological discoveries made after the first official recognition.
The remains of the camp extend over several plots, including private, communal and departmental lands. Although the site is partially accessible, its management is shared between different owners, which may influence the way the site is visited or preserved. No specific information is available on its openness to the public or its contemporary uses.
The oppida, like that of Penchâteau, were fortified places characteristic of Celtic civilization during the Iron Age. They served as refuges, political or economic centres for the Gaulish communities. The region of Pays de la Loire, rich in protohistoric sites, bears witness to this ancient occupation, often linked to maritime or land exchanges.
The exact location of the camp, at the approximate address of 4 Impasse de la Torre, allows to situate the monument in a precise geographical setting. However, the mapping accuracy remains limited (level 6/10 depending on the source), which may complicate a fine identification of the protected perimeter. The available data do not mention recent archaeological studies or extensive excavations.
In the absence of historical characters or specific events documented in the sources, the history of the camp is mainly based on its status and successive inscriptions. These elements make it an important marker of the protohistoric heritage of the Niger, although its detailed narrative remains fragmentary.
