Fort Ducrot

Near Strasbourg, on the heights of Hausbergen in Mundolsheim, Fort Ducrot stands as a living testament to nearly 150 years of Alsatian military history. Built between 1879 and 1882 under German authority after the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, this fort, originally named Fort Podbielski, is the smallest and last constructed in the fortified belt of Strasbourg. Its asymmetrical plan and unique architecture make it a distinctive structure within this defensive system. In the 1930s, it was incorporated into the French system and transformed into a command post of the Maginot Line. The facades were then covered with concrete, giving it the appearance it has today. Visitors can admire, in one place, the remains of a 19th-century German fortification alongside the French Maginot Line modifications. Today, Fort Ducrot is being revived thanks to the dedication of the Friends of Fort Ducrot, who restore the site, preserve historical objects and documents, and gradually recreate the various spaces. During the visit, one can explore the barracks, corridors, rampart, dry moat, former military installations, and the Maginot command post. A captivating immersion into the history of fortifications and the major events of Strasbourg and Alsace.