Conservation and restoration of the citadel

Town of Besançon - 2007-2013

Presentation

As part of the Contract for the State Regional Projects for the period 2007-2013 and the plan for the management, preservation, and sustainable development of the town ofBesançon, as voted for in July 2007 by the municipal council, the fortifications of Vauban have been chosen to benefit from a restoration program amounting to 9.9 million euros. The portion covered by the town of Besançon itself amounts to 2.1 million euros.

The restoration of seven on-site pieces reflects the need to value these jewels of military architecture while also preserving their original appearance. Certain restorations stand out for their technicality and their exemplary nature, particularly in terms of the mastery of the expertise required for such craftsmanship.

Via the execution, commitment or scheduling of these various restoration and preservation initiatives, the town of Besançon also intends to establish an equilibrium and dynamic complementarity between problematic aspects of heritage, culture, tourism and the economy.

The key elements of this restoration of the citadel have been the willingness to maintain and preserve exceptional heritage for future generations but also to spark off new functions and vocations for what is undeniably a forward-looking.

The operations of restoration, evaluation or safety of the citadel are as follows: the arsenal, the ravelin 59 and the Projection 159 of the front Saint-Etienne, the scarpe wall of Rivotte, the ravelin 61 as well as the demi-bastions 62 and 63 of the front Royal, and the demi-bastion 80 of the emergency front.

Performing this construction work is intended to meet multiple objectives:

  • Safety objectives:

Projection 159 and scarpe wall of Rivotte:

The railroad is situated below these two works. Their overall state presents a serious risk of collapse.

  • Objective to evaluate the constructed heritage:

Ravelin of the front Saint-Etienne:

Work on the entrance to the site, first contact of the visitor with the Unesco-listed monument, strong visual impact.

  • Objective of heritage mediation

 Arsenal and ravelin of the front Royal:

Arsenal: a venue welcoming one of the 3 museums of France on the site, coverage representing disorder,

Ravelin of the royal front: restoration also required for the opening of the communication 110 (a long tunnel connecting the Saint-Etienne front to the Royal front), unusual and educational walk on offer to visitors.

Finance plan

Arsenal (works): €1,074,046 excl. tax (work complete)

  • Portion from State (DRAC): €503,083
  • Portion from Region of FC: €67,881
  • Portion from Doubs Department Council : €183,661
  • Portion from Greater Besancon Area : €108,479
  • Portion from Town of Besançon : €210,942

 

Projection 159 (PAT studies and works): €548,072 excl. tax (work complete)

  • Portion from State (DRAC): €219,229
  • Portion from Region of Franche Comté: €107,125
  • Portion from Doubs Department Council : €4,979
  • Portion from Greater Besancon Area : €55,355
  • Portion from Town of Besançon: €161,384

Ravelin 59 (PAT studies and works): €1,217,136 excl. tax (work in final phase)

  • Portion from State (DRAC): €486,817
  • Portion from Region of Franche Comté: €238,908
  • Portion from Doubs Department Council : €9,000
  • Portion from Greater Besancon Area : €122,921
  • Portion from Town of Besançon: €359,490

Scarpe wall of Rivotte (PAT studies and works): €2,425,855 excl. tax (work underway)

  • Portion from State (DRAC): €920,000
  • Portion from Region of Franche Comté: €242,586
  • Portion from Doubs Department Council : €235,000
  • Portion from Greater Besancon Area : €245,011
  • Portion from Town of Besançon : €783,258

Ravelin 61 (PAT studies and works): €2,114,000 excl. tax (work not started)

  • Portion from State (DRAC): €845,600
  • Portion from Region of Franche-Comté: €211,400
  • Portion from Doubs Department Council : €424,800
  • Portion from Greater Besancon Area : €213,514
  • Portion from Town of Besançon: €418,686

Demi-bastions 62, 63 and 80 (costing to be determined)

Overall budget: 9.9 million euros for the period 2007-2013.

Evaluation

Positive aspects

A unique on-site restoration with unmatched funding since the purchase of the citadel by the Town in 1959.

Negative aspects
  • The works on the ravelin of the front Saint- Etienne required the elimination of the parking spaces in the vicinity of the citadel site.
  • The works on the arsenal meant the museums had to be closed.
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