沙灣歷史文化園區曾是清法戰爭的主要戰場。1884年8月，清法戰爭爆發，基隆的煤礦成為法軍的戰略重點。法國艦隊對基隆展開猛烈攻擊，試圖奪取清軍砲台，導致防線一度失守。然而，台灣巡撫劉銘傳迅速組織軍隊，利用基隆複雜的地勢成功阻擊法軍，最終迫使其撤退，保衛了基隆的安全。

戰爭的導火線可追溯至同年4月，一艘法國軍艦悄然駛入基隆港，三名法國士兵登陸後勘察港口，甚至試圖接近清軍砲台，但被清軍驅離。法國藉此事件向基隆廳通判抗議，指責當地拒絕出售食物與煤炭，並威脅若不提供資源，將進行砲擊。這一衝突最終演變成清法戰爭。

The Shawan Historical and Cultural Park was once a major battleground during the Sino-French War. In August 1884, as the war broke out, the coal mines in Keelung became a strategic focus for the French forces. The French fleet launched a fierce attack on Keelung, attempting to seize the Qing artillery positions, which led to a temporary collapse of the defensive line. However, Taiwan Governor Liu Mingchuan quickly organized his troops and took advantage of Keelung’s complex terrain to successfully repel the French, ultimately forcing them to retreat and safeguarding Keelung.

The spark that ignited the conflict can be traced back to April of the same year. A French warship quietly entered Keelung Harbor, and three French soldiers disembarked to survey the port, even attempting to approach the Qing artillery positions—only to be driven off by Qing forces. In response, the French lodged a protest with the local magistrate in Keelung, accusing the authorities of refusing to sell food and coal, and even threatening to bombard the area if resources were not provided. This incident eventually escalated into the Sino-French War.