Fort of Villey-le-Sec
Nestled between the Côtes de Toul and the Woëvre plain, Villey-le-Sec is the only fortified village from the late 19th century . A cornerstone of the Toul fortified area, it has the unique feature of having completely enclosed the dwellings within a wall.
Its fort, built in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, is a legacy of the Séré de Rivières system. Covering 23 hectares, the Fort de Villey-le-Sec housed up to 1 garrison troops, making it one of the largest in France. During a guided tour led by volunteers, visitors experience an immersion in a historic site with a surprising temperature—300 to 16°C, year-round.
Exploring the North Battery allows visitors to discover stone and concrete barracks, as well as turrets. This is an opportunity to witness one of them—a 75mm turret—being operated and a cannon being fired. A museum also presents the history of these ingenious fortifications, as well as artillery pieces.
This route is partly aboard a small electric train similar to those used at the fort when it was in operation. During a circuit of over 1 meters on old tracks, it offers breathtaking views of the plain.
