🏛️ Lieu
Patrimoine & Culture
La Citadelle Vauban
📍 Arras, Pas-de-Calais
· Boulevard du Général-de-Gaulle, 62000 Arras
À propos
Built between 1668 and 1672 to plans by Vauban, the citadel is a fine example
of 17th-century military architecture. Barracks, the arsenal and the baroque Saint-Louis chapel
complete the ensemble. The Arras citadel is one of the first projects
by the King's famous architect, Sébastien Le Preste, Marquis de Vauban.
He incorporated it into his famous pré carré, a double line of fortified towns designed to
protect the kingdom's northern frontier from east to west. Arras was in the second line of Vauban's
vauban's system. The citadel has never played a defensive role, nor has it ever supported a siege
siege. The architect himself even nicknamed it "La Belle Inutile" (The Beautiful Useless One). Spared by the wars,
remains, with its star-shaped layout, one of the finest examples of a lowland fortress
designed by Vauban.
Vauban's fortifications, which include the Arras citadel and eleven other sites, have been
uNESCO World Heritage List since July 7, 2008.
of 17th-century military architecture. Barracks, the arsenal and the baroque Saint-Louis chapel
complete the ensemble. The Arras citadel is one of the first projects
by the King's famous architect, Sébastien Le Preste, Marquis de Vauban.
He incorporated it into his famous pré carré, a double line of fortified towns designed to
protect the kingdom's northern frontier from east to west. Arras was in the second line of Vauban's
vauban's system. The citadel has never played a defensive role, nor has it ever supported a siege
siege. The architect himself even nicknamed it "La Belle Inutile" (The Beautiful Useless One). Spared by the wars,
remains, with its star-shaped layout, one of the finest examples of a lowland fortress
designed by Vauban.
Vauban's fortifications, which include the Arras citadel and eleven other sites, have been
uNESCO World Heritage List since July 7, 2008.
