2011-05-20 Fort De Villey-Le-Sec

Friday we took a bike ride along the river and then up to the top of a bluff where we found an interesting WWI military establishment,. In addition to a fortress hidden in a copse of trees there were some old cannon positions which were dug down into the ground and connected by underground passageways. The old, rusted metal installations are still there. Don has attached some information to this report, along with his photos.

We ate our lunch sitting on the bluff, high above the river, enjoying the green panorama of the hillsides. It was so quiet, with no noise except the church bell chiming the quarter hour.

When we came off the bluff we went back down to the river and on to the city of Toul. Here we found an enormous cathedral. This building is a full block big, and as high as a skyscraper. It is amazing to think of the construction process, which took 200 years and was started in 800ce. Just to think of the façade being raised in a day without motorized equipment is dumbfounding,


We had pretty heavy rain the rest of the way home, and we rode steadily along as we heard the thunder roll down the river. by Geralynn

by website
1874-1879: the only walled city!

Consequences of the War of 1870, the defensive system of rivers Sere was built on all land borders of France. Evidence of this renewed effort rarely in history, Fort Villey-le-Sec was present as a witness essential to finding one of the largest defense systems.

Cornerstone of the fortress of Toul, he has the distinction of having the existing village contained in an enclosure of more than 3.5 km. Composed of four elements (batteries north and south, Redan, reduced), Villey-le-Sec is the only example of a fortified village in the late 19th. With 1300 men in garrison and 79 pieces of artillery, the fort was one of the largest in France.

1904-1914: concrete turrets and artillery

Upgraded from 1888 and completely redesigned in 1904 Concrete, Fort received a turret machine gun turrets and two for two 75mm guns, one of which has been rehabilitated.

Besides these cuirasses, you will discover the imposing concrete barracks, one of which has an interesting museum dedicated to the fortification and various war materials. Some guns are also on display including a revolver gun Hotchkiss 1879, rare coin. The site also lists a 155mm turret, the commander Mougin work, monster-melting 250 tons, last copy in northern France.
Today

Maintained and open to the public by the volunteers of the association the Citadel, the tour will take you part of the fort in a leafy setting with breathtaking views of the coast of Toul and Woevre. This discovery is enhanced by rides in a small-gauge train of 0.60, similar to those supplies to the former fort.