Ouvrage La Ferté, Military fortification in Villy, France.
The defensive structure contains two combat blocks connected by an underground tunnel, featuring machine gun positions and anti-tank artillery installations.
German forces attacked the fortification on May 18, 1940, leading to the loss of 107 French soldiers trapped in the connecting tunnel.
The site functions as a memorial and educational center, presenting exhibits about the Maginot Line's defensive strategy during World War II.
Guided tours of the fortification allow visitors to explore the military installations, communication systems, and soldiers' living quarters throughout the year.
The fortification marks the northernmost point of the Maginot Line and became the first French stronghold targeted during the German offensive in 1940.
Location: Villy
Location: La Ferté-sur-Chiers
Inception: 1937
Website: https://ouvragelaferte.fr
GPS coordinates: 49.58513,5.23558
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:42
The Grand Est displays a rich architectural and military heritage, from fortified structures like the Fort of Mutzig and the La Ferté ouvrage on the Maginot Line, to princely residences such as Château de Lunéville with its French gardens. The region also preserves religious sites like the Abbey of Sturzelbronn in the Vosges forests and the Jesuit College in Reims, founded in the early 17th century. Urban centers feature notable architectural complexes: the Kammerzell House in Strasbourg exemplifies 15th-century Alsatian half-timbered construction, while the Ducal Square in Charleville-Mézières reflects Renaissance urban planning. The Humanist Library in Sélestat holds over 150 medieval manuscripts and ancient books. Technical sites like the old Chappe telegraph tower in Saverne recall early communication history before the electric era. Historic parks, including that of Château de Pange with geometric gardens and stone bridges, offer pathways through centuries of landscape design.
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