Discover the Hoge Berg

On the 6^th of April 1811, Napoleon Bonaparte wrote his ‘nôte sur l’Ile de Texel’. Here he described in detail how the fortifications on Texel should be extended. The Marsdiep and the Texel Roads were of great strategic importance. There was a chance that the English would invade his empire via this route. Fort de Schans had to be enlarged and fortified. Above all, the Schans had to be strengthened by two assisting forts: the Lunette and the Redoute. 

War in North Holland

Twelve years previously, in 1799, an English invading force landed at Callantsoog. They were later joined by Russian troops. Holland was then part of the Batavian Republic, a vassal state of France. After various battles, the French-Dutch armies succeeded in driving the invading forces into retreat. This drama demonstrated that the coast of North Holland, and therefore also that of Texel, was a weak link in the defence of the French empire. The French started developing extensive plans for fortification, later with the support of the emperor.

Inspection

Napoleon didn’t waste any time. He immediately ordered the construction of fortifications on Texel. On the 16^th of October 1811 he paid a personal visit to the island to inspect progression of the building works.

The location of the Redoute

The Redoute was built as a secondary fort along the Wadden Sea dyke, less than a kilometre to the west of Fort de Schans. In those days, the seawall was the low-lying dyke which now meanders through the landscape in the direction of Den Hoorn. According to the emperor’s plan, defence of this dyke had to be strengthened. Above all, artillery at the Redoute was meant to block off the Waterweg, the entrance route to the Hoge Berg and Den Burg, if necessary.  After construction of the Redoute, most of the cannons were directed towards de Hoge Berg, as the French expected the greatest threat to come from the west.

Ramparts removed

After the collapse of the French empire, the military importance of the fortifications on Texel soon diminished. The forts fell into decline. In 1922, the Redoute finally lost its status as a fort. Nine years later the ramparts were dug away and the sand was used to strengthen the dykes. The moat remained intact. 

Restoration

In 1976, the Redoute received the official status of historical monument. The fort is now owned by Natuurmonumenten. In 2010 the earthen ramparts were reconstructed. In this way, the cultural historical value of the fort has been made visible again.

Closed to the public

In this peaceful corner of the Hoge Berg area, the fort is home to many birds, small mammals and insects. The restored ramparts provide a habitat for unusual plants. Nature has priority here and for this reason, the Redoute is not open to the general public.