Fort de Seclin

About the museum

Fort de Seclin was built between 1873 and 1876 as part of the defence system designed by General Séré de Rivières after the defeat of 1871. It forms part of the Lille fortified belt and, according to the museum's website, is the last fort of that belt to have kept all its buildings and ditches. It stands on a hill of some fifteen hectares, on the site of an ancient Gallo-Roman settlement.

The appearance of high-explosive shells in the 1880s quickly made this type of fortification obsolete. During the First World War the town was occupied by the German army; in August 1914 the 49th Chasseurs à pied battalion was formed at the fort. Graffiti left in 1917 by Australian prisoners of war can still be seen there.

In 1939 the Germans turned the fort into a prison. In 1944 resistance fighters were executed there; a memorial stele honours them, and a ceremony takes place every 8 May. After the war the fort served as an annex prison and then as a munitions depot until 1976. The site then deteriorated for twenty years.

In 1996 the state sold the fort, and the town of Seclin supported the project of the Boniface family, who restored the site. The museum opened in 2003. It displays artillery pieces, gun carriages, horse-drawn vehicles and everyday objects from 1870 to 1920.

Highlights

• Fort of the Lille fortified belt with its buildings and ditches intact
• Artillery collection, including the Canon de 75
• Horse-drawn carriages and everyday objects, 1870 to 1920
• Graffiti by Australian prisoners from 1917
• Stele commemorating the resistance fighters executed in 1944

Permanent exhibitions

• Le musée du fort – Artillery pieces, gun carriages, horse-drawn carriages and everyday objects from 1870 to 1920, with spaces devoted to General Deffontaines and the Canon de 75.
• La fortification – Visit to the fort itself, its ditches and its buildings, constructed to defend Lille.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Famille Boniface (propriétaire privé)

Admission & discounts

The price of €8 applies to the two-hour guided tours on the April weekend and during the European Heritage Days; the site does not publish a general price list for appointment visits. Payment for the April visits is in cash or by cheque on site.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on one level and accessible by a ramp; one parking space is reserved for people with reduced mobility. The paths in the fort run over meadow, cobblestones and sand. The compacted-slate car park is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The site presents the visit as a family experience. Free for children under 8 on guided tours during events; offer for school groups.

Getting there & parking

The departmental road leading to the fort is very busy on weekdays and has no pavement; caution is advised on foot.

Amenities & dining

Groups can book a “visite goûter” with waffles or tart and a drink.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Reception hall for weddings and corporate events.

Plan your visit