Peccais Fort
SAINT-LAURENT-D’AIGOUZE , Gard – Cultural heritage
About
Peccais, the Salt Fort. The remains of Fort Peccais are now lost at the end of the world in an inhospitable place…
On the contrary, from the creation of the first state tax on salt, the gabelle, by Philippe Le Bel in 1286 to its abolition by the French Revolution in 1790, co fort was the economic heart of the region.
Salt from Peccais was redistributed throughout the kingdom via the Rhône.
During the Wars of Religion, the control of salt, a high-value product, became an important issue, and the Peccais saltworks needed protection.
In 1569, the construction of the fort ensured permanent control over the salt pans and canals used to transport salt. It stands at the junction of the Bourgidou canal and the “Peccais à Sylvéréal” canal.
It became the envy of warlords, who held Peccais held the region!
In 1790, with the abolition of the gabelle, the fort lost importance and was only guarded by a company of invalids, falling into disrepair.
During the Second World War, given its proximity to the coast, the fort was put back into service: the occupying forces installed several shelters and blockhouses.
The remains of Fort de Peccais are awaiting development.
Only the two cisterns, the trapezoidal plan and the molded base of a watchtower have survived of the Fort de Peccais, once a military post for royal agents.
Spoken languages : French
