Barrage Vauban, Bridge castle in Petite France district, France
The Barrage Vauban stretches 120 meters across the River Ill with 13 arches built in pink sandstone from the Vosges mountains.
Jacques Tarade constructed this defensive structure between 1686 and 1690 following plans by military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban.
The interior corridor displays ancient plaster casts and statues from Strasbourg Cathedral and Palais Rohan in a dedicated lapidarium.
Visitors can access the structure and its rooftop terrace without charge from 9:00 to 19:30, offering views over Strasbourg's historical district.
The barrage could raise the River Ill's water level to flood surrounding lands, as demonstrated during the 1870 Prussian siege of Strasbourg.
Location: Strasbourg
Inception: 1680s
Architects: Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban
Official opening: 1690
Length: 120 m
Address: rue de Molsheim
GPS coordinates: 48.57944,7.73806
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:39
In Strasbourg, each step crosses several centuries of history. You walk from medieval alleys lined with half-timbered houses to glass buildings housing European institutions. The cathedral, 142 meters high, has dominated the city since the Middle Ages, while modern structures along the Rhine reflect the city’s European role. The sound of bells blends with tram noise, and the smell of gingerbread drifts through the contemporary administrative districts.
Strasbourg offers numerous photographic opportunities beyond its main attractions. The city presents a collection of historic timber-framed houses, medieval bridges, hidden courtyards and notable architectural monuments from various periods. From the hieroglyph-adorned Maison Égyptienne to the neoclassical University Palace, from ancient defensive structures to Art Nouveau villas, these sites reveal authentic aspects of Strasbourg's heritage. In the tanners' quarter, the Maison des Tanneurs documents the medieval craft tradition, while the Cour du Corbeau, with its multi-story wooden galleries, represents one of the city's oldest preserved inns. Rue du Jeu-des-Enfants leads through a quiet collection of historic residences, and Place de la République demonstrates the late 19th-century Prussian urban planning. The Barrage Vauban, a 17th-century defensive installation, provides wide views over the Ill River and the Ponts Couverts from its rooftop terrace. Away from the tourist crowds, additional photogenic locations include the vaulted cellars of the Cave des Hospices Civils, where wine has been stored for centuries, the Art Nouveau architecture along Allée de la Robertsau, and the neoclassical facade of the Lycée des Pontonniers. Place Saint-Étienne and Place Saint-Thomas show everyday city life in historic settings. These locations enable photographs that go beyond typical postcard views and provide a nuanced perspective on Strasbourg's architectural diversity.
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