Fortifications of Vauban

World Heritage

France

🎧 Listen to Introduction

The Vauban fortifications include 12 groups of fortifications and ruins located on the western, northern and eastern borders of France. They are examples of the work of Sébastien Lepreste de Vauban (1633-1707), a military engineer to Louis XIV. The complex includes the town, the castle, the city fortress walls and the fortress towers built from scratch by Vauban. There are also mountain forts, sea forts, mountain batteries and two mountain communication facilities. The site is listed as a pinnacle of classic fortifications and a typical example of Western military architecture. Vauban also played an important role in the history of fortifications in Europe and other continents until the mid-19th century.

# castle

# French border

# Military Engineering

# City Fortress

# Mountain Fort