Fort de la Hougue (Fort de la Hougue)

Fort de la Hougue is a 17th-century coastal fortification designed by Vauban's collaborator Benjamin de Combes and built between 1694-1699 after France's catastrophic naval defeat at the Battle of La Hougue in 1692, when 12 French warships were destroyed in the bay. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features a 20-meter tapered tower with 4-meter thick walls at the base, positioned to create crossfire with its twin tower on Île Tatihou 2.75 km away. Visitors can walk nearly 1 km along the fortified dike (Le Sillon) to reach the promontory, explore the bastioned ramparts, powder magazine, and climb the 6-level tower via spiral staircase for panoramic views of the English Channel, Tatihou Island, and the Normandy coastline. The fort remains Ministry of Defense property with an active naval semaphore station, but public access is permitted through the Porte aux Dames entrance. Open primarily July-September; limited access rest of year. Low tide reveals beaches around the fortifications for additional exploration.