The Citadel of Lille

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The Citadel of Lille

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The Citadel of Lille © Yann Guichaoua - age fotostock

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Dubbed 'Reine des Citadelles' (Queen of the Citadels) by Vauban himself, the Citadel of Lille was the military architect's first work.
The first stone was laid on 17th June 1668, and by 15th October 1670, it could withstand a siege. This citadel, considered by Vauban to be his most accomplished work, is an amazing example of the art of military defence.
The pentagon shaped building is in the most marshy and low-lying part of Lille.
It has five points, each fortified by a bastion and defended with the help of wide, deep moats. The combination of these defensive structures (ditches, bastions and ramparts) makes a defensive phenomenon of the building set in the middle of a complex flooding system.
Louise XIV himself came to admire the work with his court, and the gates and bastions are named in his honour: Porte Royale, as well as Porte du Dauphin, Porte de Turenne, Porte d'Anjou, Porte de la Reine and, of course, Porte du Roi.
Following in the footsteps of this royal cortege, many visitors now come to enjoy the green setting of the citadel and to wander in the nearby 'Bois de Boulogne' woods, the 'Jardin Vauban' gardens and the zoo.
La Citadelle de Lille
59000 Lille, France.