Maginot structure of Michelsberg

The Michelsberg! The undefeated! This large artillery work of the famous Maginot Line has well marked the history of the 2nd war. It was built in 1937 but it is only in 1939 that the crew was complete, 515 men lived in the fort. Under the command of Duvauchelle and then of Jules Pelletier, the soldiers continued to fortify the fort until June 1940 when the installation underwent enemy attacks. Relive the life in this fort the time of a visit to the Maginot work of Michelsberg.

Put yourself in the shoes of the brave soldiers who defended the fort during the German invasion. It was the most deadly place of combat in June 1940. The Germans tried to break through the fort but the crew showed heroic resistance. Shells were falling from everywhere, shots were coming through the walls, a deluge of fire was falling on the soldiers. But they held on! Among the heroes of Michelsberg, remember this name: Lieutenant Deschamps. At the controls of his 135mm turret he reduced to ashes the artillery HQ and above all, the 88 battery: a decisive turning point of the confrontation

During your tour in this historical site, you will discover a real underground city at a depth of 30m. Your guide, a history enthusiast, will tell you the best moments of the soldiers as if you were really there. You will be surprised by the biggest turret of the Maginot line: the 75mm turret with its 265 tons. The tunnels shelter modern installations with generator, electric kitchens, a barracks, a command post and a small train.

The Maginot Line is a real historical heritage that is maintained by an association of passionate volunteers. These fervent patriots bring the site back to life in a beautiful way. They clean, restore, repair and repaint the tunnels, turrets, cannons, mortars, rifles and machine guns. These volunteers take care of the equipment to keep it as intact as it was at the time. An admirable initiative that deserves much more than a visit.