Napoleon's watchtowers: War fortifications in Normandy

Fort de La Hougue, located in the coastal town of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue in Normandy, is part of a twin fortification constructed by Napoleon to protect France's coast from invasions. The fort initially built in the 17th century, was modified in the late 17th to early 18th century by Napoleon's military architect, Sébastien Le Prestre (Vauban), serving as a strategic military fortress until the early 19th century when it fell into disrepair. However, Napoleon saw its potential and, in 1803, decided to build a twin fortification to strengthen the French defenses. The twin towers, the Fort de La Hougue and the Fort de Tatihou, were completed in 1808, but Napoleon's plans for a third fortification were never realized. Today, Fort de La Hougue serves as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into its rich history and the strategies used to protect France during the time of the Napoleonic Wars.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons