Mont Royal Fortress

The Mont Royal fortress was built between 1687 and 1698 at the behest of Louis XIV as part of his expansionist policy. Under the direction of the fortress builder Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, the complex was designed as a starting point for further advances to the east. Covering an area of 50 hectares and with a planned garrison of over 8000 soldiers and 3000 horses, it was a colossal undertaking that heavily burdened the French state budget. However, even before its complete construction, the fortress was razed in 1697 according to the provisions of the Treaty of Rijswijk.