Citadelle de Montmédy, Montmédy, France

Montmédy citadel is one of the largest fortresses in North-Eastern France. It was built during the reign of Emperor Charles V in 1545 then altered in the 17th century by Vauban and, in the 19th century, by Séré de Rivières, who added a large number of bunkers.

The tourist office and the Fortification Museum explains systems of defence through the ages and gives a clearer understanding of strategies of attack and defence as well as technical terms such as bastion, half-moon battery, curtain wall, outwork, covered passageway etc. There is also a gallery of works by portrait artist Jules Bastien-Lepage, who was born in Damvillers not far from Montmédy in the 19th century. He also painted landscapes and scenes of country life. A game in the form of a free booklet is available for your children to help them visit the two museums. During the school holidays, arts and crafts workshops and special shows are arranged free of charge for the younger members of the family.

References:

Meuse Tourism

Castles and fortifications in France

User Reviews

Tim H (2 years ago)
Nice stroll. Up and around to the small little town up overseeing the city.

john lakey (2 years ago)
An amazing time spent here. You can actually drive in to the citadel, park and walk around. People live in the citadel and you really get a feel of how life used to be. If you are unsure, remember, its free and its a great experience for all ages.

Mamai Jen (2 years ago)
Interesting place to walk around.

Duncan Smart (2 years ago)
Pretty cool place to walk around and explore

Rütger Ask Jacobsen (2 years ago)
Found this fantastic place while on our way to Mont Saint Michel from Denmark, and it was amazing. First of all, we never expected to find people still living here and secondly the stucture and mere size of the Citadelle is just... wauw! The stories this place could tell! It is so easy to let the imagination run wild! What we found out is that is was last used i WWI and in 1657 it was defended for 57 days against 30.000 soldiers by just 756 soldiers, only surrendering after the death of the govenor. Long story short, if you are ever in this region, go visit Citadelle de Montmédy, it is a fantastic and beautifull place.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

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Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Citadelle de Montmédy

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