Le Fort Nieulay

In the long history of Calais, Fort Nieulay was the defense point of the west of the city. From the toll bridge of the Middle Ages to the powerful lock fort under Louis XIV, this fortification has evolved considerably. Today, it is a place for walking…at the same time as an experience of discovering the ingenuity of the illustrious Vauban!  

In the Middle Ages, Calais was a small fortified city protected by ramparts and a castle. To the west, the area was marshy, with a river. A toll bridge allowed people to cross it and go to Calais. This is the origin of the Fort Nieulay fortress. Like the other defense points of Calais, Fort Nieulay has undergone many modifications. 

During their presence (1347-1558), the English reinforced this point to make it a fort with a tower (just like at the port with Fort Risban). The aim was also to protect the locks that allowed the surrounding area to be flooded. The Spanish were present in Calais for a short period (1596-1598). They further improved the fortress, as did Cardinal Richelieu under the reign of Louis XIII (early XNUMXth century).

The great transformation of Fort Nieulay took place under Louis XIV. Vauban had the existing fortifications knocked down to build a new one nearby. The engineer aimed to make the river pass inside the fort to protect and control the 3 locks. He made it an important fortress with barracks, an arsenal, stores, a cistern, a chapel, etc. 

At the end of the 1980th century, Fort Nieulay lost its strategic interest and gradually fell into ruin. At the beginning of the XNUMXth century, it was even rented to farmers for their livestock! During the Second World War, the fortress regained a military role. After the conflict, the fort became a quarry to extract stone from the subsoil. Collapses of the walls required major work in the XNUMXs.     

To note that : This fortress is one of the few lock forts in France. It is not open to visitors, but its surroundings make it a peaceful place for gentle mobility. Walking around it is a life-size lesson on Vauban's defensive system, especially on the slope overlooking the neighboring commercial area.