Neuf-Brisach: “Warning, stronghold!”

A perfect star on the Alsace plain
Neuf-Brisach is a new town created from scratch, representing Vauban’s fortified work. This stronghold is also an illustration of the engineer’s urbanised principles, organised according to a regular
octagonal plan around a military courtyard and 48 blocks.
Still fully enclosed by its walls, Neuf-Brisach has managed to preserve many traces of the 17th century intact. Many guided visits are offered all year round by the tourist office. The Vauban public museum is located at the Belfort Gate, and open during the summer months.

A unifying project
In June 2012, the town of Neuf-Brisach inaugurated a new and playful installation for children, with the aim of teaching them about fortified heritage whilst having fun. The vocabulary of bastioned fortification, attack and siege methods, the historical and
geographical context... all these themes are explained in detail.
Led by Sébastien Vauban’s mascot, the children are invited to take part in a role play during which they reconstruct a part of the city walls of Neuf-Brisach using wooden pieces.
This new resource aims to:

• enrich the mediation product;
• encourage visitors to Neuf-Brisach;
• give inhabitants the chance to reclaim their heritage and to be its main ambassadors.

This installation was completed by nine panels created by the Neuf-Brisach primary school pupils, entitled “What’s New... in Brisach?”, which tackled the themes which give the town its exceptional and universal value.