The construction of a citadel in Arras started in 1668 by order of Louis XIV. Strategically located on the north-eastern border of the kingdom of France, Arras had been coveted since time immemorial. As always, Vauban, the engineer, strove to make the best use of the existing terrain and therefore designed a pentagonal citadel. The buildings were constructed to an orthogonal plan, defended by ditches filled with water. In 1678, the citadel was incorporated into the second line of the “pré carré” system which he developed to defend France. Over the centuries, the citadel housed a succession of different Engineering regiments ; each one modified the citadel to suit their needs. The citadel remained in military use until 2009, when it became the property of the Urban Community of Arras. It is now gradually being developed as an integral part of the town, a real district rich in outstanding natural and cultural heritage, with its unique history.
This book is the third one of a collection published by the Network of Vauban major sites. It collects the contributions and debates of the international Study Day on Vauban’s influence throughout the world organised at the citadel of Arras the 7th July 2011.
We can find bastioned fortifications all over the world, built up to the 19th century, that were supposedly influenced by those Vauban designed along France’s borders. But Vauban himself always refused to theorize on his empiric practice - except for his method of relentless attack, which he codified for three centuries. Indeed, a close look of those fortifications indicates that their lineage with Vauban is generally not obvious, the culture of warfare in Europe of the Enlightenment being a shard culture.
You can order this book with the Vauban Network by completing the order form.
Following the three years of the At Fort project this bilingual publication presents a selection of exemplary projects and procedures used for Vauban’s majors sites and their Europeans partners to redevelop fortified spaces.
Download the online version
A brochure in French and English to know more about the Vauban’ Network and incuring into it.
Standing proud at the very end of an offshore bar, the Camaret-sur-Mer tower was built by Vauban between 1689 and 1696. As part of a complete system defending the Brest bottleneck and its arsenal-harbour, it had its test of fire on 18th June 1694, an event for which it received its title of “Guard of the Armorican coasts”.
As it gradually lost its military functions in the 19th and 20th centuries, the gilded tower became a source of inspiration for many artists. Thanks to an active conservation policy it has become today a must-see cultural and tourist venue and is the starting point for the fortifications Route of the Crozon peninsula.
This new edition, in French and English, links photographs by Bertrand Bodin and texts by Nicolas Faucherre. Discover the Vauban Network sites under an original light from unusual angles.
Available from book shops and Network points of sale. You can also order your copy from the Vauban Network.
A brochure in French and English with information about the Vauban Network and the 12 sites.
- Newsletter n°7 - December 2010
- Newsletter n°6 - October2010
- Newsletter n°5 - June 2010
- Newsletter n°4 - December2009
- Newsletter n°3 - July 2009
- Newsletter n°2 - April 2009
- Newsletter n°1 - November 2008
