THE MASTER OF FORTRESSES

Standing the test of time

An episode from the series THE WONDERS OF FRENCH ARCHITECTURE

Synopsis

Vauban is probably the best military architect and engineer in History.

His unique system of fortifications, copied worldwide, protected France from invasions and helped make Louis XIV the most powerful monarch of his time.

The Vauban system consisted of an iron belt of 180 fortresses scattered across the country, each rivaling the others in technical ingenuity.