Bitche Citadel

Region

Thema

pictures

description

brief description: 

perched on a rock about 80 metres above the town of Bitche, the citadel was built from 1680 onwards by order of Louis XIV, who enlisted the military genius of famous French architect Vauban. During the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), this masterpiece of military art (measuring approximately 300 metres in length and 40 metres in width, with an average wall height of 30 metres) was a centre of exemplary resistance. Designed for a garrison of 1.000 soldiers, the rooms and corridors of the fortress extend over an area of altogether 3.000 m². Today, the citadel is accessible to the public and can be visited in a very original way: on 25 Mai 2006, a new film parcours was unveiled. Visitors can walk through the site and its underground passages while a feature film is played, episode by episode, through each hall. The Besieged Fortress (La Forteresse Assiégée by Gérard Mordillat) impressively recounts the history of the siege of Bitche

relevant filming facts

opening times: 
15 March - 15 November from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily (open until 6:00 pm in July and August)
usage: 
museum, tourism
condition: 
good; the fortress is almost completely preserved. The interior has, for the most part, been furbished for guided tours
interior architecture: 
equipped with multimedia presentations/exhibitions for visitors
surroundings: 
the fortress is situated on a rock high above the town of Bitche. Wonderful view of the surrounding countryside
Lift/elevator: 
none
Space restrictions: 
to be discussed
Time restrictions : 
to be discussed
Catering: 
upon prior agreement, numerous restaurants in Bitche could serve as caterers
premises: 
upon prior agreement, the administrative offices on site may be used for make-up, wardrobe, technical equipment, etc.
Filming experience: 
a number of movies were filmed on site (e.g. La Forteresse Assiégée, an Arte production from 2007)

accessibility

car: 
coming from France on the A4 motorway, take the Sarreguemines, N61 exit going in the direction of Sarreguemines. Once you have reached Sarreguemines, continue on the N62 going in the direction of Bitche. The citadel is well signposted throughout town coming from Saarbrücken on the A6 motorway, take the Saargemünd (Sarreguemines) exit, going in the direction of Sarreguemines. Once you have reached Sarreguemines, continue on the N62 going in the direction of Bitche. The citadel is well signposted throughout town coming from Zweibrücken, take the D35 secondary road to Bitche
train: 
the closest train station is Bitche

supply

sanitary facilities: 
available
parking lot: 
available (approx. 300 spaces)
electricity supply: 
available
water supply: 
available

contact

Marie-Alix Fourquenay