Fort de Leveau
Fort built in Feignies in the 1880s, now a museum devoted to the 1914 siege of Maubeuge and to daily life for soldiers in the trenches.
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About the museum
Fort de Leveau is one of six forts built around Maubeuge following the fortification programme of 1874, to protect the town from bombardment. Work began in October 1882 and was completed around 1884. The fort, surrounded by masonry moats, covers about eight hectares and includes a central barracks, caponiers and an artillery platform. Before 1914 it was reinforced with an armoured observation post and a turret for two 75 mm guns.
During the siege of Maubeuge in September 1914, the fort was subjected to a massive German bombardment. The barracks was hit directly, and many men were buried under the rubble. The fort was evacuated on September 7, and its defences were then destroyed by the German army. Between 1935 and 1940 the army restored part of the works, which saw fighting again in May 1940, and during the Liberation in 1944.
The Sauvegarde du Fort de Leveau association was founded in 1993. The discovery, from 1996 onward, of the remains of nine French soldiers in a walled-up tunnel gave the project its present direction. Today the fort belongs to the commune of Feignies, and volunteers handle visitor reception, historical research and management of the museum’s collection, which is devoted to the First World War.
Highlights
- Model of the fort and account of the 1914 battle of Maubeuge
- Tunnel of the Walled-Up, where nine French soldiers were found
- Recreated dormitory for 48 men, kitchen and food store
- World of the trenches: weapons, uniforms and underground shelters
- Visit app with scenes to scan along the route
- Operated by
- Association Sauvegarde du Fort de Leveau (fort propriété de la commune de Feignies)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 9 · €2 rate for ages 10 to 16; free for children under 10. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6.50 per personGuided tour for groups of 10 people or more, by reservation; €3.50 per pupil for school groups. |
The €5 rate covers self-guided admission to the site.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 9 |
|---|
School groups have a puzzle trail with riddles; the website lists no specific offer for families.
Getting there & parking
Address: route de Mairieux in Feignies. GPS coordinates given by the site: 50.299522 / 3.941748.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided or guided visits (groups by reservation). A visit app, which works like an audio guide, offers scenes to scan by QR code along the route. School groups can book a two-hour guided tour and a detective game in the fort; picnics are possible on site. |
