FortressPort-Cros

Fort de Port-Man

The Fort can be visited

The fort of Port-Man (or Port Man fort) is a former French military structure located at the northeastern tip of Port-Cros island (Var). Built in the 17th century, enlarged in the 18th century, and disarmed in 1881, its restoration was entrusted by the State to a private individual in 2003.

History of the fort+

The fort was built from 1635 to 1637, probably on the site of an old guard tower built during the reign of Francis I. It was part of a defensive complex whose construction had been decided by Richelieu to counter the Spanish threat and which also included the Fort de l'Estissac, the Fort du Moulin, and the Fort de l'Éminence. It was originally a simple battery intended to control the pass between the islands of Levant and Port-Cros as well as access to the roadstead. The structure was enlarged at the beginning of the 18th century, then redesigned in the 19th century. It was disarmed by ministerial decision on November 21, 1881. Left abandoned, it was assigned to the Port-Cros National Park in 1977. In 2003, the State granted its use to photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, with the responsibility for him to ensure its restoration.

Notes and references+