Built between 1843 and 1846 Fort d’Aubervilliers stands before you. It’s one of sixteen military structures. Adolphe Thiers initiated their construction to fortify Paris. The fort controlled passage along the Route de Flandre now RN 2.
This pentagonal fort with five bastions covers 26 hectares. Initially located in Pantin it became part of Aubervilliers in 1851. Its strategic position made it crucial for Parisian defense. Its history is far more intriguing than its imposing exterior suggests.
Following Napoleon III’s defeat Prussian troops occupied Fort d’Aubervilliers during the Siege of Paris in 1870. The fort’s role changed dramatically in the 20th century. It housed a radioactivity research lab. The renowned Joliot-Curies conducted experiments there in the 1920s.
During World War I the French Army used Fort d’Aubervilliers. It became a workshop for producing toxic gas artillery shells. The fort created the first phosgene shells used by the French Army starting in August 1915. This dark chapter in its history is a sobering reminder of the fort’s wartime function.
Later experiments related to Algerian nuclear tests caused significant radioactive contamination. Decontamination efforts began in 1990. However 61 barrels of contaminated materials remain. Sixty cubic meters of contaminated soil are still stored within the fort’s walls. Concerns about excess cancer incidents in the area persist.
Despite the contamination Fort d’Aubervilliers has experienced a fascinating evolution. In the late 1980s the equestrian theater Zingaro established itself on the western side. Its renowned shows blending humans and horses brought international recognition to this unexpected venue.
Today Fort d’Aubervilliers is a mix of past and present. It houses a gendarmerie. Its gardens are a community space. The metro’s Fort d’Aubervilliers station stands nearby. The site is marked by numerous urban renewal proposals. Plans for housing developments and other amenities are constantly being reviewed. The radioactive contamination continues to pose challenges. Yet the fort endures as a testament to history and a potential site of renewal and transformation.