Didn’t the Fort de la Briche play a crucial role in protecting Paris? It stands at the edge of Saint-Denis and Épinay-sur-Seine. The Fort de la Briche is one of the detached forts of the Thiers wall. It protected Paris in the second half of the 19th century.
The Fort de la Briche’s location was strategic. It controlled the Seine, RN14 and the Paris-Beauvais railway line. This ensured the protection of western Saint-Denis. The Fort de la Briche connected to the Fort de la Double-Couronne via the Digue du Croult.
Construction of the forts in Paris’s first ring began around 1844. Work lasted about ten years. Twelve similar structures surrounded Paris. The goal was to defend against enemy attacks on the capital. A fortified dike and a ditch linked them. In Saint-Denis, it stretched from the Seine to the Canal Saint-Denis.
Like other structures, the Fort de la Briche saw action in the German siege of 1870. At that time, retired battalion chief Taphanel commanded the fort. Marine artillery chief Duran oversaw the artillery. Captain Dreyssé headed the engineering. Navy Doctor Major Roux managed healthcare.
Interestingly, the Fort de la Briche once housed an aircraft engine testing center. Today, the Fort de la Briche is home to the 26th Fire Company. It also houses the canine unit. Additionally, it serves as the training center for officers of the Paris Fire Brigade.
The Fort de la Briche, the Fort de l’Est and the Fort de la Double Couronne were interconnected. These three forts in Saint-Denis formed a defensive network. Fortified dikes and a canal system linked them.
So, as we stand here, remember the Fort de la Briche. It is not just a structure. It is a testament to Paris’s defenses. It’s a place of training and service. It’s a piece of history still very much alive.