Fort de Châtillon: Difference between revisions
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== History == |
== History == |
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The site was first fortified during the [[Franco-Prussian War]] in 1870, when the the redoubt of Châtillon was built by the inhabitants of the town. The works allowed the French to slow the Prussian advance on the capital and was the scene of violent combat. After the war the site was selected for further fortification as part of the [[Séré de Rivières system]] ring of fortifications around Paris. Construction on the new fort started in 1874, not far from the old redoubt. |
The site was first fortified during the [[Franco-Prussian War]] in 1870, when the the redoubt of Châtillon was built by the inhabitants of the town. The works allowed the French to slow the Prussian advance on the capital and was the scene of violent combat. After the war the site was selected for further fortification as part of the [[Séré de Rivières system]] ring of fortifications around Paris. Construction on the new pentagonal fort started in 1874, not far from the old redoubt. Unlike other Parisian fortifications, the new fort was designed for action in all directions, as the location commanded much of the surrounding region. The barracks, believed to have been in three levels, were located at the center, surrounded by walls defended by a ditch and [[caponier]]s. The fort featured a number of internal traverses, mounded dikes intended as shelters against low-angle shellfire from a variety of directions.<ref name="fortiffbe1">{{cite web|url=http://www.fortiff.be/iff/index.php?p=1046|title=Châtillon (fort de)|last=Puelinckx|first=Jean|coauthors=Aublet, Jean-Louis & Mainguin, Sylvie|date=2010|work=Index de la fortification française 1874-1914|publisher=fortiff.be|language=French|accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref> |
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The fort saw no particular action during the Second World War. After the [[French Liberation]], accused collaborators [[Joseph Darnand]] and [[Jean Hérold-Paquis]] were executed by firing squad at the fort. |
The fort saw no particular action during the Second World War. After the [[French Liberation]], accused collaborators [[Joseph Darnand]] and [[Jean Hérold-Paquis]] were executed by firing squad at the fort. |
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After the war the fort changed vocation to serve the [[Commissariat à l'énergie atomique]], the French atomic energy agency (CEA), and was the site of [[Zoé (reactor)|Zoé]], the first French nuclear reactor. The Châtillon site was quickly superseded by a new atomic research facility at Saclay, which opened in 1952. |
After the war the fort changed vocation to serve the [[Commissariat à l'énergie atomique]], the French atomic energy agency (CEA), and was the site of [[Zoé (reactor)|Zoé]], the first French nuclear reactor.<ref name="fortiffbe1"/><ref name="cia1">{{cite journal|last=Office of Scientific Intelligence|date=13 November 1959|title=TheFrench Nuclear Weapons Program|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|url=http://www.foia.cia.gov/wizards/osi_pdf/the_french_nu.pdf}}</ref> The Châtillon site was quickly superseded by a new atomic research facility at Saclay, which opened in 1952. |
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== Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses (CEN-FAR)== |
== Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses (CEN-FAR)== |
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In 1957 the Fort de Châtillon changed its name to the ''Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses''. Only the entry and some buildings of the old fort were saved. The rest was demolished between 1957 and 1970. From 1974 the site housed a [[tokomak]] fusion reactor prototype, the TRF. It became difficult to maintain such activities in the densely populated area, and Zoé was shut down in 1977. The site became more oriented to other areas of nuclear research, particularly in the areas of radiation protection and nuclear waste management. The site also accommodates administrative services of the CEA. A 1996 fire in the administration building precipitated a change in use. A portion of the building that housed Zoé became the Museum of the Atom, while the remainder was dedicated to research into the life sciences. |
In 1957 the Fort de Châtillon changed its name to the ''Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses''. Only the entry and some buildings of the old fort were saved. The rest was demolished between 1957 and 1970. From 1974 the site housed a [[tokomak]] fusion reactor prototype, the TRF. It became difficult to maintain such activities in the densely populated area, and Zoé was shut down in 1977. The site became more oriented to other areas of nuclear research, particularly in the areas of radiation protection and nuclear waste management. The site also accommodates administrative services of the CEA. A 1996 fire in the administration building precipitated a change in use. A portion of the building that housed Zoé became the Museum of the Atom, while the remainder was dedicated to research into the life sciences.<ref name="CEA1">{{cite web|url=http://www-dsv.cea.fr/dsv/le-centre-de-fontenay-aux-roses/actualites/une-cli-pour-accompagner-la-denuclearisation-du-site|title=Une CLI pour accompagner la dénucléarisation du site |publisher=CEA|language=French|accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref><ref name="CEA2">{{cite web|url=http://www-dsv.cea.fr/dsv/le-centre-de-fontenay-aux-roses/actions-pedagogiques/les-enfants-du-patrimoine-br-venez-visiter-zoe|title=Les Enfants du patrimoine: venez visiter Zoé ! |date=20 August 2009|publisher=CEA|language=French|accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref> |
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Several buildings on the site remain dedicated to the ''Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire'' (Nuclear Safety Authority) (ASN) and the ''[[Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire|Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire]]'' (Institute for Protection and Safety against Nuclear Radiation) (IRSN). The site is no longer spoken of as the "Fort" or "Annex", but as CEN-FAR or IRSN Fontenay-aux-Roses. |
Several buildings on the site remain dedicated to the ''Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire'' (Nuclear Safety Authority) (ASN) and the ''[[Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire|Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire]]'' (Institute for Protection and Safety against Nuclear Radiation) (IRSN). The site is no longer spoken of as the "Fort" or "Annex", but as CEN-FAR or IRSN Fontenay-aux-Roses. |
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Revision as of 12:34, 29 April 2010
| Fort de Châtillon | |
|---|---|
| Part of Fortifications of Paris, Séré de Rivières system | |
| Fontenay-aux-Roses, France | |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses |
| Controlled by | France |
| Condition | Destroyed |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1870 |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Paris |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | CEN-FAR |
The Fort de Châtillon was a fortification located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south of Paris in the communes of Châtillon-sous-Bagneux and Fontenay-aux-Roses. It was built in 1874 and was razed in 1957.
The fort is named for the town it was designed to protect, Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, but the greater portion of the site is actually within Fontenay-aux-Roses. The main entry and the portions in Châtillon were destroyed at the end of the Second World War.
History
The site was first fortified during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, when the the redoubt of Châtillon was built by the inhabitants of the town. The works allowed the French to slow the Prussian advance on the capital and was the scene of violent combat. After the war the site was selected for further fortification as part of the Séré de Rivières system ring of fortifications around Paris. Construction on the new pentagonal fort started in 1874, not far from the old redoubt. Unlike other Parisian fortifications, the new fort was designed for action in all directions, as the location commanded much of the surrounding region. The barracks, believed to have been in three levels, were located at the center, surrounded by walls defended by a ditch and caponiers. The fort featured a number of internal traverses, mounded dikes intended as shelters against low-angle shellfire from a variety of directions.[1]
The fort saw no particular action during the Second World War. After the French Liberation, accused collaborators Joseph Darnand and Jean Hérold-Paquis were executed by firing squad at the fort.
After the war the fort changed vocation to serve the Commissariat à l'énergie atomique, the French atomic energy agency (CEA), and was the site of Zoé, the first French nuclear reactor.[1][2] The Châtillon site was quickly superseded by a new atomic research facility at Saclay, which opened in 1952.
Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses (CEN-FAR)
In 1957 the Fort de Châtillon changed its name to the Centre d'Études Nucléaires de Fontenay-aux-Roses. Only the entry and some buildings of the old fort were saved. The rest was demolished between 1957 and 1970. From 1974 the site housed a tokomak fusion reactor prototype, the TRF. It became difficult to maintain such activities in the densely populated area, and Zoé was shut down in 1977. The site became more oriented to other areas of nuclear research, particularly in the areas of radiation protection and nuclear waste management. The site also accommodates administrative services of the CEA. A 1996 fire in the administration building precipitated a change in use. A portion of the building that housed Zoé became the Museum of the Atom, while the remainder was dedicated to research into the life sciences.[3][4]
Several buildings on the site remain dedicated to the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (Nuclear Safety Authority) (ASN) and the Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (Institute for Protection and Safety against Nuclear Radiation) (IRSN). The site is no longer spoken of as the "Fort" or "Annex", but as CEN-FAR or IRSN Fontenay-aux-Roses.
Other Forts de Châtillon
Other Forts de Châtillon include one at Châtillon-le-Duc near Besançon, as well as a Fort de Châtillon at Boulogne-sur-Mer built in the 16th century.
See also
Source
- This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding French Wikipedia article as of April 26, 2010.
References
- ^ a b Puelinckx, Jean (2010). "Châtillon (fort de)". Index de la fortification française 1874-1914 (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Office of Scientific Intelligence (13 November 1959). "TheFrench Nuclear Weapons Program" (PDF). Central Intelligence Agency.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "Une CLI pour accompagner la dénucléarisation du site" (in French). CEA. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
- ^ "Les Enfants du patrimoine: venez visiter Zoé !" (in French). CEA. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2010.