Belfort, located between two mountain ranges, the southern Vosges and the northern Jura, has long been the main outpost of eastern France. The heavily fortified military fortress of Belfort withstood three sieges.
The French remember the heroic deeds and military courage of the locals. And the name of one of the defenders of the fortress – Colonel Danfert-Rochereau (“Lion of Belfort”), who commanded the garrison of Belfort during the siege in 1870 – is immortalized in the names of streets, the Parisian square and the metro station.
Sights of Belfort
Getting around in Belfort is quite simple: the Savoureuse River divides it into two parts. To the west is a new city with a developed commercial infrastructure, and to the east is a calmer old city, on the outskirts of which rises a massive castle built by the architect Vauban in the time of Louis XIV on the site of former medieval fortifications.
Now it houses the Museum of Arts and History, where you can see works by Durer, Dore and Rodin, exhibits related to the centuries-old military conflicts that unfolded in Belfort, as well as objects related to the Bronze and Stone Ages found in a burial grave in Cravence in 1876.
The architect of Louis XIV also supervised the construction of fortifications around Belfort. The street plan he created remains largely unchanged to this day.
The most famous and often photographed object by tourists is the symbol of Belfort – a huge 11-meter lion made of red sandstone. It was built by Frederick Bartholdi to commemorate the siege of 1870. Approaching the castle, you will be stunned to see this creation.
In the lion itself, in its front paw, there is an observation deck from which amazing views of the city and surroundings open up.
Helpful information
The train station, where intercity buses also leave, is located at the end of Faubourg-de-France (the main pedestrian shopping area in the new city). You can get the information you are interested in at the tourist office. There are many good hotels in Belfort.
For example, you can stay at Htel Vauban or the more luxurious Grand Htel du Tonneau d’Or, usually where musicians stay while touring in Belfort, so they will be happy to tell you about the events that take place in the region. A kilometer west of the railway is the Rsidence Madrid hostel.
Camping International de l’Etang des Forges is located north of the old town. On Place d’Armes and Place de la Republique, there are several restaurants and cafes among antique shops and old-fashioned food stalls such as the Grocery de Lyon. For example, Aux Crepes d’Antan, where you can taste delicious pancakes, Bistrot Boef-Carottes and La Poudrire cafe, where you can listen to live music.
