European Heritage Days
On the occasion of the European Heritage Days on 20 and 21 September 2025, the large and small gates of the Bitche citadel will be opened to give you an unusual view of the monument.
No visitor to the wooded hills of the Northern Vosges would be complete strangers to the citadel of Bitche. This massive fortress, perched on a vertiginous rocky spur, dominates the small town that nestles at its feet. Vauban designed the plans for the citadel, which was completed under the direction of Louis de Cormontaigne in the 18th century.
The history of the citadel is masterfully displayed in the heart of its underground entrenchments and former barracks. You can relive the terrible siege of 1870 in a unique audiovisual presentation and virtually walk through an original relief plan dating from 1794. A museum and a series of panels complete the historical and functional overview of the site.