Fort Liédot, the "indestructible" fort of Napoleon 1st
Hidden among the trees, on the northeast end of Aix Island, you'll find Fort Liédot.
By order of the Emperor of the French, Napoleon I, the construction of this half-burried fortification began in 1811 and lasted 24 years ! Napoleon I decided to build it on the highest point of the island at 13 m altitude (about 42.5 ft), to have an overview of the roadstead of Aix and allow the protection of the naval dockyard of Rochefort.
The story of Fort Liédot
Let it be known that Fort Liedot, in the course of its history, was more than just a defensive fort of the maritime dockyard.
At first, the fort was erected to protect the roadstead of the island, while waiting for the construction of Fort Boyard. During wars, it served as a jail for prisoners, like Ben Bella or Russian soldiers and then, it even became a summer camp !
You will be surprised to learn that Fort Liédot has never suffered from an attack of the enemy. The only incidents to be deplored were made by the French army in 1863, during training shots to test the strength of the fort. It will take two years to repair the damaged building.
Visit the Fort Liédot
Visit the Fort Liédot and discover the history of the fort, its years of construction, its role in the "Route des Forts"...
Meet the fort's soldiers and prisoners on the "Liédot, empreinte d'histoire" guided tour, and don't miss "Les Mystères du Fort Boyard" (The Mysteries of Fort Boyard), which takes you on a journey through the history of the famous fort.
New for 2024:
An immersive tour of the seabed in the channels offers visitors a poetic and sensitive journey from the sea to the estuaries.
This unparalleled journey will take you up high or bring you close to the surface of the sea, like a bird on the foreshore. It will take you along with the winds, swells and currents to the mysterious depths of the nourishing mud, to the rocks that are home to shellfish and crustaceans, and among the grains of sand carried by the fresh and salt water. You don't need a wetsuit or a scuba tank, but you'll learn a lot about this lively world!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION (to be confirmed for 2024) :
Opening times:
April to October 2024
Prices:
Adults: €6 - Reduced rates: €5 - Children: €4
For further information:
Fort Liédot - Le Bois - 17123 Ile d'Aix
+33 (0)5 46 78 17 05 - Website
