The stone walls and wooden doors decorated with brass beckoned to me as I strolled up the path to the fort. This stronghold used to be a very important French military, economical, and government center. Fort de Chartres looks authentic and old to the unknowing, but there is more than meets the eye. The original fort was abandoned and then destroyed in 1772.
Fort de Chartres started out as a wooden fort, but then it was rebuilt with stone between 1753 and 1756. The building that stands today is a partially reconstructed fort based off of remains of the original foundation and what it used to look like. The park is open everyday from dawn to dusk, except on major holidays. If you go Wednesday through Sunday, you have the chance to go into the buildings and museum.
My favorite site that was opened was the guard tower above the front doors. From up top you have a great view of the bluffs and the courtyard. Down below are the "ghost buildings" and outlines of where the original buildings stood. Lush fields of green encompass the fort with towering trees growing around the perimeter.
I had a great time walking through the replica buildings learning how the early French soldiers lived. They had a totally different lifestyle than the one we live now. If you are interested in visiting, here is the address:1350 Illinois 155, Prairie du Rocher, IL 62277.
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