Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
French Trench
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
1. French Trench Marker
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Notable Places • War, US Revolutionary.
Location. 37° 14.448′ N, 76° 31.307′ W. Marker is in Yorktown, Virginia, in York County. It is on Fusiliers Redoubt Ramp east of Colonial National Historical Pkwy (County Road 1020), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101A Waterside Pl, Yorktown VA 23690, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named French Trench (within shouting distance of this marker); The Washington-Rochambeau Route to Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Fusiliers Redoubt (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Washington-Rochambeau Route (about 600 feet away); Massachusetts (approx. ¼ mile away); Connecticut (approx. ¼ mile away); Maryland (approx. ¼ mile away); Georgia (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
Also see . . .
1. Yorktown Battlefield. National Park Service. (Submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
2. The Battle of Yorktown 1781. A British perspective of the Battle of Yorktown from BritishBattles.com. (Submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
2. Marker in Yorktown
Located at the extreme left of the American and French lines, this French artillery battery was commanded by the Marquis de Saint-Simon.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
3. Artillery at the French Trench
This was the first battery of siege guns to fire on the British, aiming at the nearby Royal Welch Fusiliers Redoubt on October 9. These cannon are located in front on the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 12, 2008
4. York River
The French Trench is on the banks of the York River. This photo was taken from in front of the marker. Artillery at this battery harassed British ships anchored between Yorktown and Gloucester Point on the far side of the bridge. On October 10, this battery set fire to three British ships using superheated cannon balls.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 5, 2026
5. French Trench
Though the marker doesn't indicate its actual position, the remnant of the French Trench is actually directly beyond it, in front of the viewer - but hidden in the woods. It flanks the Colonial Parkway on-ramp on both sides. This view is is of the lower end of the trench south of the on-ramp (southwest of the marker).
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 5, 2026
6. French Trench
This is the section of earthworks nearest the marker. If the visitor walks on the old road trace (looks like a shallow swale between the French Memorial & Parkway on-ramp) towards the treeline, this exterior parapet greets them where the "road" ends. On the back end of this parapet is a quite deep - but extremely overgrown - interior trench; the French Trench.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,353 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5, 6. submitted on February 15, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
