The Barrage Vauban, or Vauban Dam, is a bridge, weir and defensive work erected in the 17th century on the River Ill in the city of Strasbourg in France. At that time, it was known as the Great Lock (grande écluse), although it does not function as a navigation lock in the modern sense of the word. Today it serves to display sculptures and has a viewing terrace on its roof, with views of the earlier Ponts Couverts bridges and Petite France quarter. It has been classified as a Monument historique since 1971.The barrage was constructed from 1686 to 1690 in pink Vosges sandstone by the French Engineer Jacques Tarade according to plans by Vauban. The principal defensive function of the barrage was to enable, in the event of an attack, the raising the level of the River Ill and thus the flooding of all the lands south of the city, making them impassable to the enemy. This defensive measure was deployed in 1870, when Strasbourg was besieged by Prussian forces during the Franco-Prussian War, and resulted in the complete flooding of the northern part of the suburb of Neudorf.Our Strasbourg holiday maker tool makes visiting Barrage Vauban and other Strasbourg attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
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Barrage Vauban reviews
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Loved the walkway through here with some interesting historical figures on display. Very pretty and picturesque.
Loved the walkway through here with some interesting historical figures on display. Very pretty and picturesque. more »
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My wife and I saw the Barrage Vauban during an excursion on a Viking Rhine River Cruise this past April. It stretches across the Ill River and is a lock/dam that was built as a defense mechanism to..... more
My wife and I saw the Barrage Vauban during an excursion on a Viking Rhine River Cruise this past April. It stretches across the Ill River and is a lock/dam that was built as a defense mechanism to..... more »
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This 17th century dam was part of the Strasbourg's defense system. It is 120 meters long and comprises 13 arches. There is a panoramic deck on the roof of the dam that was built in 1950s to offer a high-angle view of the city. The dam is located right in front of the Modern and Contemporary Museum of Strasbourg with its huge steel-and glass façade. The admission to the upper viewing deck of the dam is free.
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A good place to see the city from a higher place, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed as I expected a better hight. Nevertheless, you can see the Petite France, the Covered Bridge and in between the towers the Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg. We got lucky with a sunny day.
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