Questel Fort

{{Infobox military installation

|name = Fort du Questel

|image = Fort du Questel.jpg

|caption = Fort du Questel

|coordinates = {{coord|48.400574|-4.533491|type:landmark|display=inline}}

|country = France

|location = Brittany

|type = Fort

|architect = Vauban

|built = {{start date|1783}}

|pushpin_map = France

}}

File:Fortezze_a_protezione_di_Brest.jpg

Questel Fort ({{lang|fr|Fort du Questel}}) is a redoubt in Brest.{{cite web |title=Fort of the questel |url=https://www.do-tours.com/en//guide/2974-fort-of-the-questel.html |website=Do-tors.com}} It is a fortified structure of the Vauban type. It forms a closed square, with the main entry point placed on the least exposed side. This large quadrangle, 100 meters wide, is located between Fort Keranroux (1.5 km south) and Fort Penfeld (1 km to the North-east), and is also part of the same fortifications as Fort Montbarey.

The Fort du Questel monitors the valleys of the Moulin du Buis to prevent any enemies from becoming established and bombarding the city and harbor. Surrounded by deep moats and accessed by a drawbridge, it consists of a masonry wall (scarp), topped by a chemin de ronde, or covered path for musketeers. This path is itself dominated by an earthen rampart, angled to support artillery (26 guns total).

The garrison of about 200 men had access to various galleries, including two large ones underground that connect the central courtyard to the parapets. Note also the presence of toilet facilities, which at the time of Vauban were still a privilege. Built on a six-hectare site, the Fort du Questel dominates the valley of Allégoet, a tributary of the Penfeld. This site is now part of a set of refurbished natural spaces that lead to the banks of the Penfeld by a track passing in front of the Cavale Blanche hospital.

Onsite, the fortress offers walks through its sheltered green moat and its underground galleries, staircases, scarps and counterscarps, esplanade and fresh greenery nearby.

Gallery

File:Porte du fort du Questel-BREST.jpg|Front gate

File:Fort du Questel, coté est-BREST.jpg|East side of fort (1783)

References

{{reflist}}

= Bibliography =

  • {{Citation|language = fr|first1=Guillaume|last1=Lécuillier|others=Jean-Yves Le Drian (Preface)|title=Les fortifications de la rade de Brest: Défense d'une ville-arsenal|editor=Presses universitaires de Rennes|place=Rennes|year=2011|ISBN=978-2-7535-1334-1|

series = Cahiers du patrimoine|volume = 94|display-authors=etal}}

{{coord|48.4006|N|4.5335|W|source:wikidata|display=title}}

Category:Fortifications of Brest, France

Category:Vauban fortifications in France

Category:Fortifications articles needing attention to supporting materials

Category:18th-century fortifications

Category:Redoubts

Category:Fortification lines

Category:18th-century architecture in France