Givet

The Emperor Charles V began to fortify the low countries against the threat of invasion from France, and so the fortress of Charlemont was built at Givet. It was completed in 1555, after being delayed by mutinous troops who were without rations or pay for some of the construction time.

Charlemont was built on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the river Meuse and it originally took the form of a long thin rectangle with 6 bastions on the landward sides. There wall was not bastioned on the river side because there was a sheer cliff on this side. During the 17th century the fortress was strengthened by the construction of counterguards and a crownwork, and part of the town on the north bank of the river was fortified.

The fortress was attacked by the French just a month after its completion, and again in 1640. The final blow for the Spanish came in 1675, when the French layed siege to the town for the last time, capturing it. The Treaty of Nijmegen secured Givet for France, and it remains French even today.

After falling into French hands, Givet was strengthened further by the fortification of the part of the town that lay on the south bank of the river and the construction of a large lunette known as Fort Condé to the north-west of the Charlemont fortress.

In the 18th century the heights on the opposite bank of the river to Charlemont overlooking the southern part of the town was given a bastioned trace to prevent an attacker from using it to bombard Givet.

Visiting Givet

The fortress of Charlemont is intact, but the walls of Givet are only visible in a few places. The fortress belongs to the French army, but it is possible to visit the eastern end in a guided tour (from the tourist information office) or on your own (you will need a torch to visit the upper levels of the fortress as the stairways are not lit).

Follow the signs and make sure you don't enter any forbidden areas. Givet is accessable by train from France only (the line runs up from Charleville and ends at Givet), and by bus from Dinant in Belgium (Dinant has a station).