Le Fort Nieulay
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Le Fort Nieulay
Avenue Roger Salengro - 62100 CALAIS
In Calais' long history, Fort Nieulay served as the city's western defense point. From a medieval toll bridge to the powerful lock-fort under Louis XIV, this fortification has evolved considerably. Today, it's a place for a stroll…as well as an opportunity to discover the ingenuity of the illustrious Vauban! In the Middle Ages, Calais was a small fortified town protected by ramparts and a castle. To the west, the area was marshy, with a river. A toll bridge allowed passage across the river to Calais. This is the origin of the Fort Nieulay fortress. Like other Calais defense points, Fort Nieulay underwent numerous modifications. During their presence (1347-1558), the English reinforced this point, transforming it into a fort with a tower (just as they did at the port with Fort Risban). The objective was also to protect the locks used to flood the surrounding area. The Spanish were present in Calais for a short period (1596-1598). They further improved the fortress, as did Cardinal Richelieu during the reign of Louis XIII (early 17th century). The major transformation of Fort Nieulay took place under Louis XIV. Vauban had the existing fortifications demolished to build a new one nearby. The engineer aimed to divert the river inside the fort to protect and control the three locks. He transformed it into a substantial fortress with barracks, an arsenal, stores, a cistern, a chapel, etc. At the end of the 18th century, Fort Nieulay lost its strategic importance and gradually fell into ruin. At the beginning of the 20th 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 for extracting stone from the subsoil. Wall collapses necessitated significant repairs in the 1980s. It's worth noting that this fortress is one of the few fort-locks in France. While not open to the public, its surroundings offer a peaceful space for walking and cycling. A stroll through the area provides a firsthand lesson in Vauban's defensive system, particularly on the slope facing the nearby commercial zone.
