Barrage Vauban

This is such a beautiful area with the bridges, water, historic buildings, cobblestone streets and flowers. It's a quiet area with some people walking or biking. The old historic buildings are charming and iconic. The photos capture the general area of Strasbourg.

One of my favorite places in Strasbourg. It offers a very beautiful view of the city! I recommend visiting!

Barrage Vauban in Strasbourg is a compact masterpiece of stone, strategy, and quiet beauty. Built in the late 1600s as a military defense structure, this fortified dam was once capable of flooding entire plains to protect the city. Today, it stands as a peaceful reminder of that past—welcoming visitors to climb up its stone stairs or take the elevator to a panoramic rooftop terrace. From the top, the view is breathtaking: the Ponts Couverts with their ancient towers, the gentle flow of the canal below, the half-timbered houses of Petite France, and the spire of the Strasbourg Cathedral rising like a stone sentinel in the distance. Down below, the cool, echoing corridor of the dam holds a quiet gallery of sculptures and cast figures—many rescued from the Cathedral and other monuments. The arches hum softly with the sound of running water, and the whole space feels like a walk through time. Though unassuming at first glance, the Barrage is deeply atmospheric. It invites lingering—people sketch, take photos, or simply sit and watch the light shift across the rooftops. Entry is free, the experience is rich, and despite its historical weight, it feels surprisingly serene. A brief visit here leaves a lasting impression, especially if you enjoy subtle places that blend history, architecture, and stillness so effortlessly.

Interesting histprical structure near the entrance to Petite France and old Strasbourg! Free to walk through and over. Great views of town and the covered bridges!

It is a wonderful place, especially walking up to have a view of the entire place and the Cathedral was an amazing sight also. Great place for photography. Within the tunnels are also some great sculptures / statues

I like the terrace at the roof of the bridge where it features a very nice view. There are toilets on the ground floor of this bridge.

Walked past early in the morning. It was quiet, peaceful. The sun was just rising. Reminds me of what it must’ve been like in the old days. Plus the canals around this area are beautiful! Definitely worth a visit and walk around. Plus it’s free.

The Barrage Vauban, also known as the Vauban Dam, is a historic structure in Strasbourg, France. Built between 1686 and 1690 from pink Vosges sandstone, it was designed by the military engineer Vauban and constructed by Jacques Tarade. The dam served a defensive purpose: in times of attack, it could raise the River Ill’s water level to flood the southern approaches to the city, rendering them impassable to enemies. This tactic was notably employed during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. The structure spans 120 meters and comprises 13 arches, with three raised to permit navigation. Inside, an enclosed corridor links the two banks, and a lapidarium displays ancient plaster casts and copies of statues and gargoyles from Strasbourg Cathedral and Palais Rohan. Atop the dam, a panoramic terrace offers visitors impressive views of Strasbourg’s canals, the Petite France quarter, and the nearby Covered Bridges. Admission to both the dam and its terrace is free. The terrace is open daily, with operating hours varying seasonally: from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. between March 1 and April 30; from 7:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. between May 1 and August 31; from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. between September 1 and October 31; and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. between November 1 and February 28 or 29. The Barrage Vauban is situated near the Strasbourg Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Commanderie Saint-Jean, making it easily accessible for visitors exploring the city’s cultural sites. For more information, you can visit the official Strasbourg tourism website. (visitstrasbourg.fr) 

I was just following the GPS to get back to the hotel when I literally wandered into Barrage Vauban. This is definitely more of a destination than a journey and I'm glad I found it. Constructed from 1686 to 1690, the intention of the barrage was to allow intentionally flooding all the lands south of the city, making them impassable to the enemy. It did get used back in 1870 when when Strasbourg was besieged by Prussian forces during the Franco-Prussian War. Not so much today. Within the structure an enclosed corridor links the two banks and a lapidarium serves to display ancient plaster casts and copies of statues and gargoyles from Strasbourg Cathedral and Palais Rohan. Completely unexpected, but completely free and absolutely interesting. [Review 16449 overall - 83 in France - 1957 of 2021.]

The actual "covered bridge." I emphasize that because it has a roof while the irony of the Ponts Couverts, which translates to covered bridge, across from it doesn't. Again, as I wrote in a separate review, history has a way of altering the physical appearance of things while the name remains a reminder of what it once was. The Barrage Vauban doubles as a dam that controls the water level of the River III (yes, it's called the Roman numeral 3, don't ask me why), which flows south of the city center. The idea is that the dam can cause the water level of the River III to rise above the land south of the city and thus flooding the entire area against an enemy attack. Pretty cool concept if you think about it. Inside the bridge you'll find sculptures and other artifacts on display. Remember, don't ride your bicycle; instead, walk and take a moment to enjoy the experience.

Still one of my favorite photo ops in Strasbourg. Unfortunately the weather was overcast all day so no blue sky background. Despite this, it's still worth visiting for a nice view of the former Pont Couvert and Petite France in the background. Just beware of the opening hours of the terrace (where you get the views).