Located in the town of Mont-lès-Neufchâteau in the Ouest Vosgien, Bourlémont is a “stopping fort” in the Séré de Rivières system of fortifications that extended the fortified town of Toul.

Built from brick between 1878 and 1881, its purpose was to defend and keep watch over the rail and road hub of Neufchâteau and slow down the advancement of the enemy who would be forced to pass through the Trouée de Charmes or Charmes Gap. Considered as a second line outpost following the torpedo shell crisis, Fort Bourlémont was declassified in 1885.

The structure, called Fort Choiseul from 1887, has remained in its original architectural state, with the exception of a few modifications made by the Germans during the Second World War. It presents the military organisation of the 19th century with its vast barracks, powder stores and remarkable double caponier.

Its perfectly symmetrical footprint alone conveys the harmony and precision of construction from this period. Its style is just as aesthetic as strategic; its vaults, orillons and sheltered rooms are excellent architectural masterpieces.

In 1996, the town of Mont-lès-Neufchâteau bought the fort then entrusted its rescue and management to the AAFB (Friends of Fort Bourlémont Association) founded the following year. Today the association organises guided tours to show visitors how life was in the barracks between 1881 and 1914 (the garrison provided a roof for 700 men and 19 officers) and remind them of the tensions that reigned during that time between France and Germany.

For example, during the First World War, the structure received those wounded during the Battle of Verdun, Bourlémont being the only fortification to have been equipped, at the time of its construction, with a group of casemates intended to serve as an infirmary.

For young visitors, treasure hunts are organised during which they can discover the architecture of the fort and some military features including the optical telegraph which, using Morse code, provided a means of communication between the forts. The association regularly organises events.

Fort Bourlémont

Contacts: Asssociation des Amis du fort de Bourlémont (AAFB)

9 place de l'Eglise 88300 MONT LES NEUFCHATEAU +33 (0)3 29 94 35 69

email :aafb@ifrance.fr

Available on site: Picnic area, arboretum, car and coach parking, toilets including disabled facilities, snack bar with patio, gift shop.

Opening hours: Open from 2.30 to 5 pm (last tours). From 1 May to 30 June and 1 to 30 September: Sundays and public holidays. From 1 July to 31 August: every day except Monday. All year, by appointment only. Late night visits by appointment only from 1 to 22 August, Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.30 pm.

Admission: Individual adults: €4; teenagers (10-18 years): €1 ; Children under 10: free; Groups: €3

Site du fort de Bourlemont (88)

Following the defeat of 1870 and the annexation of Alsace-Moselle, the defence of the new eastern border was organised along fortification lines that formed defensive curtains, the product of the ideas of General Séré de Rivières. Two lines were built in the east: the defensive curtain of Hauts de Meuse (from Verdun to Toul) and Haute Moselle (from Epinal to Belfort). Two gaps designed to trap the enemy were also built between each line: Stenay (Meuse) and Charmes (Vosges). Apart from the advantage it had of providing geographic continuity with the curtain of Hauts de Meuse, Toul also served as an important crossing point on the main route between Paris and Strasbourg. The city also had an old fortified wall, which allowed it to quickly prepare for a defence of the city, and closed in the openings of the Haye forest and the Woëvre plain. Four forts were planned for construction in the short-term, marking out the four corners of the fortified twon of Toul : Ecrouves, Domgermain, St-Michel and Villey-Le-Sec. Villey-Le-Sec was charged with monitoring the openings of the Haye forest and was located on an elevated point 345m high on the right bank of the Moselle, alongside the ravine formed by this river as it runs through the Haye plateau.

By the time the planning of the fort began on 5 December 1873, the site had already presented major difficulties: the village occupied the site best-suited to the construction of the fort. Although it was suggested that the village be demolished, engineers decided to put the site to the best possible use in view of the urgent nature of the works: the demolition of the village would have also meant a delay in the construction of the fort and increased its cost. Nevertheless, work on the project began on 26 July 1875, even though the question of acquisitions had not been fully resolved. (The sites of the Nord and Sud batteries would not be acquired until October). What would follow was a long 4-year period of construction during which hundreds of workers would labour at a frantic pace. Given these lengthy horizons for completion and following an early crisis with our German neighbours, four redoubts were hastily built in Toul in late 1875 on points from which enemy artillery could bomb the heart of the town. In the sector of interest to us, the redoubts of Dommartin and Chaudeney (1km behind the fort of Villey-Le-Sec) were the state-of-the-art in military fortifications. The fort of Villey-Le-Sec was completed in 1879; only the Mougin turret, known as « G » and ordered on 14 August 1878 from the company Forges in Chatillon-Commentry was installed at a later date (1882). This turret required the construction of an inclined plane and railway track 203m long. The fort was now able to hold a garrison of 1301 men made up of 37 officers, 56 non-commissioned officers and 1208 soldiers, the manpower required to operate 36 ramparts, 8 mortars and 24 pieces of flanking artillery. Villey-le-sec was one of the more expensive forts in the fortification system. However, it was also an exceptional, unique complex; the inability to build the complex in the desired location meant that the whole village was fortified and protected by a surrounding wall and batteries. It is the only example of a village within a modern French fort.
Villey-Le-Sec is a surrounding fort made up of a Redan flanked by two batteries closed at the groove and two linking enclosures that have been hit by infantry fire. The complex is closed in by a square keep, a single-rampart stronghold. Built entirely of masonry covered in dirt, it was resistant to artillery used at the time. However, the useful life of the fort, as well as that of the Séré de Rivières system as a whole, suddenly came to an end in 1885 with the discovery of melignite and the development of new cylindrical-ogival shells capable of destroying forts made of stone. This was what would become known as the «torpedo shell» crisis. A series of experiments was thus carried out to strengthen the forts; the era of concrete and armour had just begun. In 1888, a directive would stipulate the first modifications to be made to the structures. As a result of these modifications, Villey-le-Sec was equipped with four barracks made of special concrete on 3 July 1890 : one in the keep, one in each battery and one in the redan. This cost 150,000 francs.
However, these first modifications were insufficient. At the instigation of the Haute Commission des Places Fortes (HCPL), created in 1899, a decision was made to embark on an ambitious programme to modernise the fort of Villey-Le-Sec, with work commencing on 11 July 1903. The former entrance of the keep was sealed and replaced with a new concrete barrack with an entrance at the end of the ditch. From winter 1905, other works, carried out by entrepreneur Benoît Estrade, would see the replacement of the caponniers of the keep with chests, the construction of concrete communication shafts and the building of armoured observation points. On February 7, delivery was taken of the redan's 75 turret (number 10). In 1907, the Nord battery took delivery of a 75 turret (number 13) and a machine-gun turret (number 25); the batteries and redan that flanked the ditches remained unchanged. Finally, from 1912, the fort would have an armoured battery for two 155 Court turrets. Although all of the substructures were completed, the turrets were never installed due to the declaration of war. The Sud battery was never modernised; it contains the features of the earliest forts. The fort of Villey-le-Sec is an exceptional complex not only due to its size, but also due to its originality in the sense that it surrounded a village. Owned by the council of the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, this site, which is maintained with great professionalism by the Association La Citadelle, could become an important tourist destination within the schema for the development of the Boucles de la Moselle. It is for this reason that the department recently launched a definition study, which will enable it to develop a plan to develop the fort of Villey-Le-Sec. Naturally, the project has the support of the ministry of defence.
Hours: Open Sundays and public holidays to 15h from 1 May to 30 September Every day to 15h from 14 July to 15 August, except Monday at 15h. Groups welcome all year round, subject to reservation. Admission : Adults : ?5 Ambassadors of Lorraine : ?4 Children under 16 : ?2.50 Groups (more than 25 persons) : ?4 Contact : Monsieur Régis BERGER, Chairman Association La Citadelle 2 place de l'Eglise 54840 Villey-le-Sec 03.83.63.90.09 email :fort@villey-le-sec.com

Built at the beginning of the 15th century (in 1402), the Noble Tower was completed under King Philippe the Good. Designed using regional materials (Lezennes stone), it is covered with earth for protection against the cold and fire, with a width of 14 m and walls that are 3-m thick. The masonry and mouldings date from the Burgundy period. The “Noble Tower” has existed for 6 centuries.

Destroyed during Louis XIV’s siege, it was restored by Vauban. The upper section is missing, however, as is the ground floor, which has been buried. Inside we can admire the gothic vault and the urn symbolising the Martyrdom of the Deportees.

 

The urn inside the Noble Tower contains the ashes and cremated remains of deportees who were horribly murdered in the death camps. The cover, in bronze, bears the names of the camps in raised lettering.

Departmental Resistance and Deportation Memorial
Rue des Déportés in Lille

The site is open to the public during commemorative events, such as the last Sunday in April each year for the Deportation Commemoration Day and for the Historic Monuments Open House Days in September.

Information: for group visits, contact the Cultural Service at +33 (0)3 20 49 52 81.

Lille Tourism Office
Palais Rihour Place Rihour BP 205 59002 LILLE Cedex

Tel. from France: 0891 56 2004
Tel. from abroad: +33 (0)359 579 400

Website of the Regional Tourism Committee of the Nord region

Website of the Nord Department Tourism Committee

Website of the Lille Tourism Office

Quiz: Forts and citadels

This 38 metre high islet with its natural beauty, battered by wind and tide, overlooks the entrance to the Brest Narrows. Protected by the sea but accessible at low tide, it has been used as a refuge since prehistoric times. Its position made it highly coveted, and the Dukes of Brittany set Le Perzel Château on it in the 5th century. However, its moment of glory came during the 17th century, when the King's engineer proposed that the island be fortified by building on the existing ruins. Vauban established a battery which was involved in driving back the English.

At the end of the 19th century, the islet was abandoned and a more powerful battery was created on land, behind it. The last time it was armed was by the Germans, who sited 75mm and 20mm canons on it, and hid machine guns around the fort. Under heavy bombardment, it surrendered to American troops in September 1944.

Bertheaume lay abandoned for 45 years until it was reborn out of its turbulent history in 1992. After Herculean restoration work (when workmen physically carried materials to the site) it was opened to the public once again.

Today, the accurately restored site invites you to discover its past through numerous exhibitions and events.

Bertheaume Fort

Tel: +33.(0)2.98.48.26.41

Group visits can be arranged on request. Evening visit entitled "Tales of Bertheaume": every Wednesday in summer

Open April to November: 5 April to 4 May 2pm to 6.30pm every day. 5 May to 27 June and 6 to 28 September, 2pm to 6.30pm Tuesday to Sunday. 28 June to 31 August: 10am to 7pm.
October: 2pm to 6pm on Wednesdays and Sundays, 25 October to 2 November 2pm to 6.30pm every day. Open 2pm to 6pm on 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 November.

Ticket office closes 1 hour before the site.
 

Entrance: Adults: €3.80 Preferential rate: €2.90 Reduced tariff (young people aged 12-18, students and job seekers): €2.10 Children aged 6-11: €0.80
 

Plougonvelin village official website

A prestigious museum The Army's Health Service Museum, is situated in the monument grouping of Val-de-Grâce in a splendid cloister. This museum is a traditional institution, which was completely restructured and attached to the Army's Health Service School. A historic site The Benedictine abbey, transformed into a military hospital in 1793, and thus preserved from the revolutionary destructions, was built on the XVII Century. It results from the wish of Anne of Austria, thanking this way the birth of Louis XIV. Its realization is the result of the work of several famous architects, for example: François Mansart, Jacques Lemercier, Pierre Le Muet, Pierre Mignard, Michel and François Anguier. The church symbolizes the nativity and is the most sculptured church of France. It is the most exhaustive example of the French Baroque art.

The voluntary pedagogic presentation of the collections helps to give, to all kind of visitors, a better understanding of the bases and multiple vocations of the Medicine of the Armies. Every topic is further developed by the use of an audio-visual production. It is developed in occasion of temporary exhibitions. The first halls of the museum evoke the personnel of the Health Service, in particular the evolution of their uniforms and their teaching. It also illustrates the principal mission of the service : the medical support of the armed forces during the conflicts, from the collecting of the wounded men on the battle spots and their evacuation, to the hospitals in the rear on the ground, the sea and the air.
The visitor also discovers the research activities of the Health Service, which so often were put into rhythm by the conflicts and for the benefit of the armies. The wax forms point out the research activities in the oral and face surgery field, during the war of 1914-1918. The Carli, Sudre or Leriche statuettes testify to the research of the Health service in the domain of the psychiatry. A decompression chamber as well as a "Véronique" rocket head, illustrates the underwater medicine and the aerospace medicine. The research undertaken by the military pharmacists, during their discovery journeys around the world, on war poisons is exhibited as well.
The participation of the Army's Health Service in the civil domain is recalled since the XIX century, by its human actions, its care for the population, the creation of medical schools or Pasteur Institutes and the fight against the big diseases. Exemples are Calmette, Yersin, Jamot. The Army's Health Service has also a vast experience in the progress of hygiene. In particular the food and clothing hygiene but also the general house and behaviour hygiene. Its experience is predominant in the fight against metropolitan or exotic infectious diseases. For example, diseases like typhoid, meningitis, the plague, the viral hepatitis and malaria.
The visitor can also admire the collection of pharmacy objects of the doctors Debat. It is fitted out in the old kitchens of the Benedictine nuns and gathers Italian and French pieces of earthenware, instruments of medicine and mortars. The "Majoliques" are Italian ceramics of the Renaissance and which illustrates the production of Faenza, Montelupo, Deruta or Venice. Here it is possible to discover the instruments of the pharmacy and medicine domain, like the amputation saws or special trepans, first-aid kits and microscopes, for the majority coming from the 18th century. A pharmacy is reconstituted and exhibits earthenware and porcelains coming from Ile-de-France or the Netherlands. Other ceramics, coming from factories in Lille, Rouen, Nevers, Nîmes, Saint-Cloud, or also in the South-west or even the Far East are exhibit close to the blown glass bottles. The collection of the 103 mortars is one of the most prestigious worldwide. This splendid typology shows objects of the ancient Egypt to our days, coming from productive areas and realized in all kind of materials.
Museum of the Arm's Health Service (Musée du Service de Santé des Armées) : 1, place Alphonse Laveran 75230 Paris Cedex 05 Tél. : 01 40 51 51 92 - Fax : 01 40 51 51 93 Timetable Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday : from 12 a.m. to 5p.m. Group visits on reservation under the Phone number : 01 40 51 51 94 Tariffs Adults :4,60 €. Children (under 12 years) : 2,30 €. Free entrance for children less then six years, active militaries, the civil staff of the Ministry of Defence. Public Transports RER (Train) : Port-Royal. Subway : Goblins. BUS : 91, 83.

Ancient Genoese fortified town constructed in the 13th century in the south of Corsica, the citadel of Calvi is made up of a series of walls crisscrossed by narrow streets perched on the top of a chalky headland. Inside this very ancient citadel (also known as 'Ville-Haute') are several public and religious edifices: the former palace of the governor, the primatial church, the law court, the town hall and the college. At the entrance to the citadel visitors can read an inscription engraved by the Genoese: Civitas Calvi semper fidelis ('The city of Calvi, forever faithful').

While the citadel in Bastia evokes the long domination of the island by the Genoese, the citadel of Bonifacio can lay claim to being the first fortified town in Corsica. In the name of the Pope, Lord Boniface ordered the building of a fortress in 830 to which he then gave his name. It was later modified and enlarged to keep up with military technical advances. Situated to the west of the town high on a narrow plateau, the citadel was built to protect the southern coast from the incursions of the Saracens.

Bastia was founded in the 14th century and was the capital of Corsica throughout the period of Genoese domination until 1768. On the high ground overlooking the entry to the small port of Marina di Cardo, the Genoese governor of the island, Leonello Lomellino, ordered the building of a fortress, or 'bastiglia' in Corsican, which became his residency, and was later occupied by his successors. The district of Terra-Nuova grew up around this citadel. The ramparts were added between 1480 and 1521. However the present appearance of the citadel and the other constructions forming the defences of Bastia date back to the time of Louis XV.

Erected in 1927 by René Quillivic, in memory to the soldiers who died for France during the wars waged in the 20th century.

In homage to these men, the small defensive fort has been turned into a cenotaph where everyone can congregate in their memory.

A place of remembrance for the victims and past conflicts, this funerary space , handed down from generation to generation, is sure to affect and speak out to all its visitors.

The two crosses: these two neighbouring steles mounted with a cross, today known as the “monks' gallows”, have been adorned with religious insignia since the iron age.

Set in the ruins of the Benedictan abbey, the lighthouse dates from 1835. Standing 58 metres above sea level, the top can be reached by the 163 steps and makes the perfect spot from which to admire the splendid panoramic view from the Crozon peninsular to Ouessant. Don’t think twice about mounting the stairway, the unspoilt view of the islands is more than worth the small effort.

The Abbey

Listed as a Historic Monument in 1867, the Abbey, which dates from the 6th century and is now in ruins, continues to attract admiration still today. Every year on the first of August, the Abbey hosts amidst its ruins the Pardon of St Matthew celebration, a traditional religious ceremony that has survived the decades.

The Maurist convent and cellar. The museum of the Abbey of St Matthew: This museum, set up in the centre of the Abbey grounds, presents the site, the monastic life of its former inhabitants and the Abbey through history.

A 17-minute video explains to visitors why this site is so unique.

The chapel: Once the church of St Matthew's parish, today it contains ancient statues and engravings that evoke the past of the saints venerated on this site.

Museum

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 89 10 52

“The Friends of St Matthew” association

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 48 35 73

Tourist Information Office

Tel: +33 (0)2 98 48 30 18

Lighthouse visits

Opening times

From 7 April to 30 April: Every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

May and June: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (also open 7 and 18 May) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

July and August: daily from 10 am to 7.30 pm

From 1 to 16 September: every day except Tuesday (closed) from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2.00 and 6.30 pm

From 17 to 30 September: Every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 6.30 pm

From 27 October to 7 November (also open 8 to 11 November): every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 5.30 pm

From 22 December to 6 January: every day except Tuesday (closed) from 2.00 to 5.30 pm (also closed 25 December and 1 January).

Ticket with abbey museum €3 for over 10s, €1 4 to 9 years, free for under 4s

In summer: St Mathieu and Trézien (Plouarzel) lighthouse visitor pass €4 for over 10s, €2 for 4-9 years

Site officiel de la commune de Plougonvelin

This castle was built in the 13th century on a rocky headland by the famous Breton Goyon-Matignon family.

Two drawbridges cross the crevasses that separate the castle from the mainland. Due to its strategic position, over the years the castle has seen many interesting times. Du Guesclin laid siege to it in 1379. During the troubles associated with the Catholic League the buildings were largely destroyed by fire, with only the keep resisting the attacks. It was a very badly damaged castle that attracted the interest of Louis XIV. Garangeau was charged with converting it into a coastal defence stronghold (between 1690 and 1715), thus ensuring its survival. The old feudal castle underwent many changes, the chapel was rebuilt in the early 18th century and the furnace for heating canon balls dates from 1793. During the 19th century, Fort La Latte was gradually abandoned until it was staffed by a single guard. It was decommissioned in 1890 and sold two years later. In 1931, it was classified as a historical monument and restored.
Access By road: From Rennes - N12 E50 Lamballe - Follow Cap Fréhel on the D768, D13 and D34 Train: Lamballe (30 Km) Air: Dinard-Pleurtuit (30 Km) Tours The castle is open every day: - 11 April to 30 September from 10am to 12.30pm and from 14h30 to 18h - October 1 to April 10 during school holidays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 14h30 to 18h The castle is closed the rest of the time Contacts Tel.: +33 2 96 41 40 31 email :Flalatte@aol.com