WHO WE ARE ?
The association Fort de Mutzig
A gigantic project, a fantastic team, an exciting activity
Our association was created in 1984 by a handful of enthusiasts. The challenge that awaited them far exceeded what they could have imagined. As work progresses, this small team will grow and develop fantastic knowledge and working methods. From historical research to absolutely essential cleaning work, all trades, all skills are required.
An increasingly efficient organization explains the spectacular results of our action. Joining our association is extremely enriching first of all by the pleasure of participating in a great work, by the conviviality and solidarity of our association, by the dimension and the omnipresent Franco-German friendship, but also by the acquisition of historical and technical knowledge.
Abandoned, looted, vandalized buildings
Only 10% of the immense fortified complex has been restored.
The Association Fort de Mutzig has been responsible since 1984 for the restoration, conservation, animation, visits and management of the restored part of the Fort de Mutzig.
The Franco-German association also aims to offer a European historical reading from a Franco-German perspective.
A team of around 80 volunteers and 3 permanent employees come to the Fort considerable time to improve the preservation and presentation of the site year after year.
Restoration: a titanic task
When the first volunteers begin the restoration of the fort, everything is to be done: the electricity has been cut for a long time, much equipment has been scrapped, equipment and electrical circuits are vandalized.
The ubiquitous humidity has attacked the metal parts: beds, fans, pipes are often in poor condition.
Outside the buildings, vegetation covers all the structures.
Vandalism and human stupidity did the rest.
Bring to safety standards
The gradual increase in attendance made us classify as an establishment open to the public in 2002.
This classification implies compliance with safety standards. Our teams of technicians have devoted a great deal of intelligence and time to integrating this modern equipment without degrading the original appearance of a fortification that is over 120 years old.
Organize visits
Restoring a site like the Fort only makes sense if it is open to as many people as possible. After two years of work, a coherent visit circuit is defined. Temporary lighting will open the Fort to the public. The first open doors see thousands of visitors walking through the galleries of the Fort.
The interest aroused by the site will not be denied thereafter. From 2002, for the sake of quality, the visits offered will be systematically guided. And since 2020 we have added, to the great satisfaction of many visitors, the possibility of visiting the fort without a guide.
The future
98 years already: our association has continued historical research, restored the Fort, installed multiple security-related facilities and created a major tourist site. An exceptional place, witness to the logic of war and which has become a symbol of friendship and Franco-German rapprochement.
There is no shortage of upcoming projects:
Historical research: Research feeds the thinking of site managers and allows the publication of historical publications.
Preservation of the site: The systematic continuation of restoration and enhancement projects is gradually restoring a fortified complex unique in Europe.
Tourism: The community of communes of Molsheim-Mutzig has been negotiating the acquisition of the restored site for several years. A reception center with ticket sales, waiting area, drinks machine, shop, etc. will be built among other projects.