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Fort Risban

Fort Risban

Recommended by 99 cyclists out of 103

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Location: Hauts-De-France, France

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Top cycling routes to Fort Risban

4.0

(14)

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1. Tour of the Channel Tunnel — loop from Calais

21.5km

01:14

70m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.4

(13)

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2. Canal de Calais – Hôtel de Ville et son beffroi loop from Petit Courghain

11.7km

00:42

40m

Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

5.0

(6)

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3. Hôtel de Ville et son beffroi – Canal de Calais loop from Calais-Ville

53.8km

03:07

50m

Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Willem VS

September 4, 2021

Fort Risban was built in the 16th century on the site of an English tower and had to protect the entrance to the harbor.
(Michelin)

Translated by Google •

Mapf

September 8, 2019

Originally the English had a tower built after the capture of Calais (1347) on the former sandbank. The Fort Risban has changed over the centuries, but always retained its function as a "guard" over the harbor entrance. From the old bastion you have a view of the entire harbor and the district of Courgain Maritime.

Translated by Google •

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

July 28, 2019

Fort Risban is one of the forts dating from the end of the 16th century, its role was to defend access to Calais harbour. Long time strategic part of the defence of Calais, Fort Risban is a ruin since the last world war.
Fort Risban was besieged by the English in November 1346 when they chose to take possession of Calais after their victory at Crécy. Once in control of the area the English restored the fort and made important changes, such as creation of the Tower of Lancaster built in 1405, under Henry VIII. The fort is surrounded by dunes and the sea, the inside is divided in two by a door accommodating pillboxes.
The fort became French again in January 1558 thanks to the Duc de Guise.
Less than forty years later the fort became at the heart of a new war and became Spanish for two years, until the treaty of Vervins in May 1598. The fort attracted the attention of Vauban at the time of his journeys to Calais in 1675 and 1689. He described it more as "a home for owls, and place to hold the Sabbath" than a fortification. Due to a lack of financial means, he made very modest changes. Fort Risban is therefore far from being a Vauban fort.
The tower of Lancaster served as a gunpowder depot for ships anxious to enter the harbour. In 1799 the fort suffered grave damage due to an explosion in the gunpowder depot, the tunnels, a chapel and a flap of the surrounding wall were destroyed.
The fort served as a shelter for the population of Calais in World War II and recovered its aspect of yesteryear. It has now a peaceful role as a nautical base for the public. calais.ws/FortRisban.htm

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Elevation 50 m

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Saturday 18 October

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Take Me There

Location: Hauts-De-France, France

Fort Risban

1. Tour of the Channel Tunnel — loop from Calais

2. Canal de Calais – Hôtel de Ville et son beffroi loop from Petit Courghain

3. Hôtel de Ville et son beffroi – Canal de Calais loop from Calais-Ville

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