Start of work of the port 1680 (≈ 1680)
Development of Port Vendres Coves.
1694
Construction of dread
Construction of dread 1694 (≈ 1694)
Building by Vauban to defend the port.
1711
Schematic of the Knight of Blénau
Schematic of the Knight of Blénau 1711 (≈ 1711)
Map of fortifications.
6 juin 1933
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 6 juin 1933 (≈ 1933)
Registration for historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Redoute Béar: by order of 6 June 1933
Key figures
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban - Military engineer
Designer of the Bear dread.
Simon de Blénau - King's engineer
Author of a diagram in 1711.
Origin and history
The Bear dread is a Vauban military fortification, built in 1694 in Port-Vendres, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department. It is part of a defensive system including the dreads of the Fanal and the Presqu ́île, designed to protect the port whose work began in 1680. These three structures, positioned on natural advances, locked the sea and land access to the Cove.
In 1711, knight Simon de Blénau, a former king's engineer at Port Vendres, drew up a diagram of the port and its fortifications, attesting to their strategic importance. The Bear dread is distinguished by its small square tower and its key role in coastal defence. It illustrates Vauban's military architecture, adapted to local geographical constraints.
Classified as a historic monument since 6 June 1933, the Bear dread bears witness to the effort of fortification of the coast under Louis XIV. Its inscription underlines its heritage value, linked to the military and port history of the region. Today, it remains an emblematic vestige of the 17th century defensive systems in Roussillon.
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