Fortifications of Vauban

Vauban's work includes 12 groups of fortified buildings and constructions along the northern, eastern, and western borders of France. The Vauban fortifications refer to a set of fortifications designed by the French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban during the 17th century. The fortifications are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to their historical significance and advanced military engineering. These fortifications include citadels, city walls, forts and other defensive structures built as part of a fortification system called the "iron belt". The fortification sites of Vauban in France:

Fortified town of Neuf-Brisach:

Built from scratch by Vauban between 1698 and 1700, it is an exceptional example of a star-shaped fortification, with regular ramparts and bastions.

Citadel of Besançon:

Located in Besançon, this citadel was reinforced and modernized by Vauban in the 17th century. It is built on a rocky outcrop dominating the city and offers a strategic view.

Fortified city of Mont-Louis and Fortified city of Villefranche-de-Conflent

These two sites are located in the Catalan Pyrenees. Mont-Louis is a mountain fortress and Villefranche-de-Conflent is a fortified town with ramparts and entrance gates.

Fortifications of Briançon

Briançon is a fortified town in the Alps and Vauban carried out work to strengthen existing defenses.

Citadel of Blaye

Located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary, the Blaye citadel was modernized by Vauban to protect Bordeaux.

Vauban's fortifications were based on innovative principles of the time, using advanced civil and military engineering techniques to strengthen the defense of the kingdom's strategic places. These sites bear witness to Vauban's expertise in fortification and his influence on the military art of the time.

Camaret-sur-Mer (Finistère), the golden tower

Built near the Notre Dame de Rocamadour chapel, at the end of the furrow which protects the port of Camaret, at the entrance to the Crozon peninsula, the Vauban Tower is part of a strategic complex intended to defend the harbour of Brest against enemy invasions and corsairs.

Mont-Dauphin, the stronghold

The Mont-Dauphin fort is a fortified complex, part of the Vauban fortifications listed by UNESCO, and classified as a historic monument.

Saint-Martin-de-Ré (Charente-Maritime), the enclosure and the citadel

Rich in several fortified works designed by Vauban (citadel, enclosure and guardhouse), the city is integrated into the network of major Vauban sites and included on the list of world heritage of humanity by UNESCO.