Carignan, Villy la Ferté

À Carignan

A - The fortifications Voir sur la carte

Until it was finally delisted in 1842, Carignan was surrounded by a wall with ten bastions and two gates, which had been erected as of 1681.

 

The curtains and bastions were surmounted by a crenellated wall which is partially preserved near the old guardroom of the Burgundy Gate.

 

The gates disappeared in the last century, but seven bastions still remain, in more or less good condition.
The three bastions on the northern side in fact date back to the 16th century and have underground blockhouses on several floors, which are currently inaccessible.

 

Visitors can walk along the ramparts, following the signs.

À Villy-la-Ferté

B - The Maginot Line fort Voir sur la carte

10 May 1940. The Germans pushed rapidly through the Belgian Ardennes and went round the famous Maginot Line. It didn’t suffered at all, except in Villy where the German army bombarded the fortified structure with over 250 cannons. The shock was terrible, but the garrison stood its ground for three days. Eventually, the Germans overcame the resistance by placing charges beneath the domes. Inside, it was hell: 104 soldiers were asphyxiated.

Visits – individuals and groups/bookings.

Walking

The pays d’Yvois path

A lovely walk goes through the countryside overlooked by the fort.

 

Practical details

Distance: 9 km

Waymarking: yellow rectangle

Difficulty: easy

Time: 2.30 h

Start: from the Memorial car park, go towards Villy.