Citadelle de Belfort

Built in 1687 by the military engineer Vauban, the citadel overhangs the city since a rocky and green terrace. The technical innovations of the weapons of artillery in the XVIIIth lead general Haxo to reshape the architecture of the fortifications in the 1820s. Situated in a strategic place, the citadel allowed belfortains led by colonel Denfert-Rochereau to resist the Prussian attacks during the war of 1870. In homage to their courage, the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, erected a stone lion embeded in the fortifications protecting the city. A replica of this lion exists in Paris on the square Denfert-Rochereau. Thanks to a theatralized audioguide, the visitor can discover the internal ditches, as well as the big underground passage specially "stage designed" with films, music and light. Classified as "Historic Monument" since 1907, the citadel offers a beautiful paranoma on the city.