Fort Moulainville

Fort Moulainville is a military fortification in Moulainville positioned at 362 meters above the Woëvre plain with reinforced gun positions and covered shelters arranged in strategic locations. The structure features double caponiers at its main front and single ones placed at key defensive points.

The fort was built between 1883 and 1885 and received major reinforcements from 1889 to 1905 in response to advances in weapon technology that made earlier designs vulnerable. It then saw heavy action during the First World War.

The fort is part of a French defense system built around Verdun in the late 1800s to protect the region from potential eastern threats. It shows military engineering choices that shaped how France organized its border security during that period.

The fort remains military property and is closed to visitors, so it can only be viewed from a distance or the surrounding area. It is also protected due to a bat colony living inside, which adds another layer to its preservation.

The fort received heavy bombardment from 420mm artillery shells while its own guns fired thousands of rounds in response during the conflict. This intense exchange of fire makes it a notable witness to the scale of warfare in that era.