Forts of Metz, Military fortification complex in Lorraine, France
The Forts of Metz form a double-ring defensive system around the city with multiple interconnected fortifications, underground passages, and thick concrete walls. The preserved sites such as Fort de Queuleu and Fort Saint-Julien display their original 19th-century construction and structural elements.
The fortifications were built between 1867 and 1916 in response to the Franco-Prussian War defeat of 1870 and underwent continuous expansion. Ownership changed hands between French and German forces, with each power adding their own defensive enhancements to the system.
The fortification network shows how two rival military powers shaped the same defensive system over time through different construction phases. Walking through the various forts reveals how each side's engineering choices left their mark on the overall structure.
Visitors can explore several accessible forts that have retained their original structures and provide clear views of how the defensive system operated. It helps to plan your route ahead of time since the network is spread across the region and includes multiple separate sites.
The network includes the so-called Seven Dwarfs, a series of smaller defensive structures built between 1912 and 1916 to complete the overall protection. These compact forts played a crucial role in the defense strategy even though they often escape visitors' notice.
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