Lille Citadel, Lille

Lille Citadel, Lille

The Lille Citadel is a 17th century pentagonal fortification built by Marquis de Vauban as part of the Pré Carré, demarcated by a double-line of fortified towns between the North Sea and Meuse River.

The Lille Citadel is a 17th century pentagonal fortification built by Marquis de Vauban as part of the Pré Carré, demarcated by a double-line of fortified towns between the North Sea and Meuse River. The pentagonal citadel surrounded by marshlands is one of the largest and best preserved forts in France, often referred to as the ‘Queen of Citadels’. It now serves as the headquarters of the Rapid Reaction Corps – France.

It is laid out radially around a large central courtyard that is nowadays used as a parade ground for the monthly flag ceremony. The main entrance is the Royal Gate, with Latin inscriptions on the façade honoring the king and an approach via a drawbridge over the surrounding moat. The Sainte-Barbe potern to the east and Saint-Georges potern to the west are guard posts along the ramparts that were built to engage the approaching enemy in crossfire. To the north is De Turenne, one of the two bastions used as powder stores, the other being De Anjou. Behind it is the Mur des Fusilles, which along with the outer moats was used as an execution site during both the World Wars. Here you can also find the Wall of the Shot which commemorates those who were deported from Lille to Germany in 1944. The Dauphin Gate in the north-west is the emergency exit leading to the French countryside.

The complex also has former jails and underground dungeons, the Saint-Martin Chapel - an austere building adorned with Baroque details and the oldest Jesuit building in Lille, a Trophy Room that is now used for internal meetings, and Lille-style Headquarter barracks. The arsenal has 3 wings, adorned with French royal patterns and the Lion of Flanders. The first floor was used to stock rifles and tools, while bombs were manufactured in the courtyard.

The citadel is not open to visitors for most of the year. You can explore the area around the complex, and visit the Park of the Citadel which has the Parc Les Poussins and Zoo de Lille.