Corps de garde

Built in the 18th century, the guard house is all that remains of a larger coastal protection complex which included an ammunition store and signaling masts. Louis XIV wanted to make the coast of his kingdom impregnable so Colbert ordered coastal batteries and guard houses to be built. Vauban was given the task of constructing buildings at vulnerable points like beaches, estuaries and harbour entrances. Combrit was equipped with a battery comprising two buildings, a powder magazine and an oven to heat the cannon balls. The battery was equipped with three 8lb cannon which permitted cross-fire with the batteries at Bénodet (2 cannon) and Ile-Tudy (3 cannon). Each cannon was manned by a corporal and 7 gunners, all local men. All that remained of Combrit battery was a building known as « Ti Napoléon » which was very dilapidated. It has recently been restored to its original lay-out by the local council, after demolition of an adjacent building which had been added during the last war.