Summary
Situated on a plateau between the Jura Mountains and the Vosges, this city has been a focal point of contention for over a millennium.
Belfort served as the sole viable route into France for hundreds of kilometers to the north or south, prompting numerous French monarchs and leaders to fortify it with great dedication.
Louis XIV mandated the construction of the Iron Belt and a detailed citadel designed by the esteemed military architect Vauban.
These fortifications and surrounding satellite structures are worth visiting, as several house museums dedicated to art and the tumultuous history of the city.
The city’s resilient spirit is embodied by the impressive Lion of Belfort statue, which overlooks the landscape from a cliff’s edge.
Let us examine the top attractions in Belfort:
1. Belfort Citadel
The Belfort Gap has been viewed as a vulnerability in eastern France’s defenses for nearly a millennium and has been extensively fortified since the 13th century.
In the 17th century, these defenses were modernized for artillery use, initially by Comte de Suze and subsequently by the renowned military strategist Vauban.
Vauban constructed an additional wall for the city, featuring a sophisticated system of hornworks and ditches that proved so formidable it withstood a siege in 1815, over a century after its completion.
Visitors can explore soaring lookouts and subterranean passages, as well as engage in reenactments held during summer months that bring various historical periods of the citadel to life.
2. Lion of Belfort
Situated in a commanding position on a ledge below the cliff edge and part of the citadel walls is the formidable lion statue.
Crafted in 1880 by Frédéric Bartholdi, this monument honors the siege of Belfort during the Franco-Prussian War, when the city endured for 103 days against overwhelming odds.
Bartholdi, known for designing the Statue of Liberty in New York, constructed this lion using sandstone blocks, carefully sculpting them down the slope and transporting them to the ledge for assembly.
3. Ring of Fortifications
Amid escalating tensions with Prussia during the 1800s, a succession of French rulers and the Third Republic worked to strengthen the Belfort Gap.
This effort led to the establishment of a vast network of fortifications that expanded upon Vauban’s citadel and the Iron Belt, ensuring the city could withstand long-range artillery attacks.
The landscape surrounding the town is dotted with 19th-century military constructs in varying states of preservation.
Many, including Fort de la Miotte, Forte des Basses-Perches, Fort Dorsner, and Fort de Meroux, can be freely explored, representing only a fraction of the defenses in the region.
4. Musée d’Histoire et d’Archéologie
Housed within the former barracks of the citadel, this museum showcases thousands of years of history relevant to the Belfort region.
Established in 1872, it was initially inspired by the discovery of Neolithic artifacts at a local fort.
The museum now encompasses three distinct exhibition areas: one dedicated to archaeology, featuring prehistoric, Gallo-Roman, and Carolingian artifacts; another focused on Bartholdi, showcasing sculptures, models, and sketches of the lion; and a third detailing the city’s turbulent military history.
Each segment offers valuable insights, whether through Roman mosaics, Prussian weaponry, or a glimpse into the processes of one of history’s most acclaimed sculptors.
5. Porte de Brisach
The Porte de Brisach serves as a dignified entrance to the city from the east, also designed by Vauban, allowing passage through the fortifications from Rue des Mobiles.
A bridge spans the ditch, leading to an imposing portal that clearly conveys the King’s authority: the emblem of the Sun King and Louis XIV’s motto, “Nec pluribus impar,” are prominently displayed above, reinforced by flags and trophies around fleurs de lys and the French royal crown.
6. Musée d’Art Moderne
This elegant Belle Époque mansion provides a concise overview of modern art from the early 20th century.
Representing both the cubist and surrealist movements, the collection features works by Picasso, Juan Gris, Georges Braque, Fernand Léger, and André Masson.
The 150 pieces of painting, sculpture, and drawing were generously donated to Belfort in 1997 by museum curator Maurice Jardot.
Jardot had a longstanding partnership with prominent cubism patron Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler, who became one of France’s leading art dealers in the 20th century.
7. Musée des Beaux-Arts
Set within one of the citadel’s bastions, Tour 41, this fine art museum showcases a rich collection of artworks.
Comprising a mix of government deposits and private donations over the years, the museum features 150 pieces that span from the Renaissance to the late 19th century.
Notable artists in the collection include Albrecht Dürer and Auguste Rodin, with a particularly strong representation of 19th-century French art by Eugène Carrière, Gustave Courbet, and Paul Signac.
Nearby Tour 46 is designated for temporary exhibitions covering history and art, organized by Belfort’s museums.
8. Belfort Cathedral
Dominating the Place d’Armes, Belfort’s Neoclassical cathedral displays a resemblance to the ancient monuments at Petra when viewed from the west.
Originally intended as an abbey church in the early 1700s, it was not consecrated as a cathedral until 1979, coinciding with the establishment of the diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard.
The striking pink sandstone used in construction was sourced nearby in Offemont, and the interior features works by local Franche-Comté artists, including sculptures by Antoine Cupillard and paintings by Gustave Dauphin.
Don’t miss the ornate Great Organ located in the gallery at the rear, installed in 1752, which is recognized as a historic monument in its own right.
9. Lac du Malsaucy
This tranquil 55-hectare lake, bordered by woodlands and gentle hills, can be accessed by car, bicycle, or on foot.
Originally marshland, the lake was dammed as early as the 1400s to provide water for Belfort and create a recreational fishing area.
Although still popular for fishing, it is now primarily appreciated for its scenic beauty and the sandy beaches located along the eastern shore.
The beach is supervised during the summer as part of a broader activity center that offers paddleboard, canoe, and rowboat rentals.
An outdoor cinema is also offered by the lake on summer evenings.
10. Tracking Down the Lions
Bartholdi’s lion has inspired the creation of approximately 150 related sculptures scattered throughout the city, manifesting as statues, architectural details, murals, fountains, and door knockers.
During the summer months, Belfort’s tourist office organizes guided walking tours that seek out these lion representations, elucidating the stories behind the structures and providing historical insights about the city.
If you are unable to attend a guided tour, the office offers a trail map equipped with all necessary information for undertaking your own “urban safari.”
11. Ballon d’Alsace
Reaching a height of nearly 1,250 meters, this mountain presents a magnificent driving route north of the city and falls within the Territoire de Belfort.
Regardless of the season, this “Grand Site de France” offers various attractive features; in winter, visitors can enjoy alpine and cross-country skiing at a resort equipped with snow-making capabilities.
Summer invites adventurers to embark on winding drives to scenic viewpoints while also offering opportunities for hiking and cycling.
The location also hosts Acropark, an adventure park featuring treetop rope bridges, Tarzan ropes, and zip lines perfect for family outings.
12. Musée de l’Aventure Peugeot
The A36 will take you to Sochaux in approximately 15 minutes, where you can visit this esteemed museum dedicated to the Peugeot automotive brand.
Peugeot has a rich history that predates the invention of the automobile, with early exhibits even showcasing antique coffee grinders bearing the Peugeot name.
Additionally, the museum features over 100 bicycles dating back to the 1880s, including models that have participated in the Tour de France.
For automotive enthusiasts, more than 130 cars from a collection exceeding 400 vehicles are on display, including an early 1890s Type 3 and the legendary 205 rally car, alongside prototype race cars and Formula 1 models.
13. Mulhouse
The plateau surrounding Belfort has been industrialized since the 1800s, with Mulhouse serving as a primary manufacturing hub in the region.
While Mulhouse may lack the quaint charm found in nearby Alsatian towns, it captivates visitors with its rich industrial legacy.
This legacy is highlighted by attractions such as the remarkable Cité du Train, the largest railway museum globally.
At EDF Electropolis, visitors gain insights into operations at this energy giant, while the Impression sur Étoffes museum chronicles Mulhouse’s once-thriving printed textile industry.
Perhaps most striking is the Cité de l’Automobile, a vast collection of vintage cars assembled discreetly by two textile magnates during the mid-20th century.
14. Notre Dame du Haut
Architecture admirers, particularly those who appreciate modernist structures designed by Le Corbusier, should not miss the opportunity to visit the stunning chapel he constructed in 1955 in Ronchamp, just 25 minutes from Belfort. This chapel is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Perched on a hillside, the chapel replaced a pilgrimage site that was destroyed during the war, incorporating remnants from the old structure into the new design.
Architecture enthusiasts will be fascinated by the chapel’s unique features, including its sloped altar, luminous stained glass windows recessed in thick walls, and a roof that appears to float above the building.
15. Gastronomy
Belfort occupies a unique culinary intersection, blending the influences of German and French cuisine, as well as elements from Alsace and Franche-Comté.
This translates to restaurants serving dishes such as fondue comtois and Jura mountain wines alongside Alsatian specialties like choucroute (sauerkraut adorned with cold-cuts) and tarte flambée (a rolled bread dough topped with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons). It’s also worth exploring the local Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and sparkling crémant d’Alsace wines produced in the nearby regions.
