I grew up in the beach communities of L.A. so when strolling along the bike path or on the sand, it wasn’t often (or ever) that I’d come across anything like a 400 year old fort. It’s different if you’re on the beach in France, especially in the north.

That, to me, is the beauty of Europe. Practically everywhere, you’ll “run into” things with a long history: it makes you wonder what has happened during all of those hundreds of years inside this coastal fort. Sordid, treacherous plots? Perhaps bloody and violent wars? And thrown into the mix: love stories and happier endings? Probably not.

Stumbling upon Fort Mahon Plage while exploring the north of France in Ambleteuse, which sits at the estuary of the river, Slack (there’s even a town called Slack too!), was another reminder that Europe….is old. Really, really old. And cool to someone who has grown up in a relatively new country.

Henry VIII of England had two forts built here to uphold his powerful presence towards the French kings. Henry II of France eventually conquered the forts in 1556, after killing all the English prisoners.

It was Sébastien Vauban who constructed Fort Mahon at the end of the 17th century, and because of the preservation and renovation efforts by the “Association of the friends of Ambleteuse Fort,” Fort Mahon is the only coastal fort that’s left.

The fort isn’t open to visitors in February but you can visit it from Easter to Toussaint (April to November): 3pm - 7pm on Sundays. In July and August 3pm - 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance fee: 3 euros / 1.50 euros (children). For more information telephone: 06 75 52 73 57