He is known for setting the first recognised automobile land speed record on December 18, 1898 in Achères, Yvelines, using a Jeantaud electric car.
Gaston Lachaise | André-Gaston Prételat | Gaston Maspero | Gaston Leroux | Gaston, Duke of Orléans | Gaston Waringhien | Gaston Bachelard | Cito Gaston | Prince Gaston, Count of Eu | Gaston Salvatore | Gaston Planté | Gaston Miron | Gaston Litaize | Gaston Briart | Gaston Berger | Raleigh and Gaston Railroad | Gaston Modot | Gastón Mazzacane | Gaston Lenôtre | Gaston Flosse | Gaston Chevrolet | East Gaston High School | William Gaston | ''The Death of Gaston de Foix at Ravenna'' by the 19th century artist Ary Scheffer | South Point Township, Gaston County, North Carolina | Lake Gaston | Gaston Tissandier | Gaston Reinig | Gaston Ramon | Gaston Paris |
The Minister for the Navy and the Colonies, Prosper de Chasseloup-Laubat, approved the project and appointed Léonce Reynaud who had already designed many lighthouses, and who had also designed the original Gare du Nord in Paris.
François, marquis de Chasseloup-Laubat (August 18, 1754 – October 3, 1833), French general and military engineer, was born at Saint-Sernin (Charente Inferieure), of a noble family, and entered the French engineers in 1774.
The construction started almost immediately, although Chief Engineer of the French forces Gen. François de Chasseloup-Laubat decided to build the fortress on the northern bank of the river rather than on the islands.