Barrage Vauban (Vauban Dam), Strasbourg (must see)

The Vauban Dam was built between 1681 and 1688, shortly after Strasbourg was annexed by France under Louis XIV. The dam was designed by the city’s military engineers following the principles of Sébastien de Vauban, France’s most influential fortress architect. Its primary purpose was strategic: in the event of an attack, the dam could be used to flood the southern approaches to the city by controlling the flow of the Ill River, creating a water barrier that made invasion far more difficult.

Architecturally, the Vauban Dam is a long, covered stone structure spanning the river just behind the medieval Covered Bridges. Inside, a vaulted gallery runs the length of the dam, pierced by large arches that allow water to pass through. These openings once held wooden gates that could be raised or lowered to regulate water levels.

Today, the Vauban Dam is valued less as a military installation and more as a viewpoint and cultural landmark. The interior gallery is open to visitors and often hosts temporary art installations and exhibitions. The gallery is easily accessible via an arched gateway on the side of the dam.

Two staircases and an elevator inside the dam lead to a rooftop terrace that offers one of the best panoramic views in Strasbourg. The staircases can be identified by signs reading “terrasse panoramique,” meaning “panoramic terrace.” From here, you can look out over the canals and half-timbered houses of the Little France district on one side, and toward the towers of Strasbourg Cathedral and the historic city center on the other. The contrast between medieval neighborhoods, waterways, and later fortifications is especially striking from this elevated position.