The Citadel of Bitche

Many castles and castle ruins in the Wasgau, the border region between Alsace, Lorraine and the Palatinate, have preserved their medieval appearance, e.g. the Wasigenstein, Fleckenstein or the Wegelnburg. In Bitche, however, stands a mighty citadel, which was extended in the 17th and 18th centuries on the ruins of the medieval castle to form the fortress complex still present today.

The fortress is located on a sandstone plateau about 300 m long and 30 to 60 m wide, which rises about 80 m above the surrounding rocks of Bitche. It was extended according to plans by the famous master builders Vauban and Cormontaigne, meeting the contemporary requirements for modern artillery and warfare. In addition to the bastions, works or towers, tunnels for the casemates or storage rooms were driven deep into the soft sandstone rock, as can also be seen in many older castles.

In Bitche, the transport routes from the Rhine to Lorraine and from Alsace to the Palatinate intersect, which is why the town has always had strategic importance. We too have often driven past here on our way to Saarbrücken and have already experienced the worthwhile guided tour. At the Citadel in Bitche, you can also stay overnight in the large car park.