Ouvrage Hackenberg Maginot Line Fortress

Our destination was "memorials of the First and Second World Wars," visiting both well-known and lesser-known historical sites. Our next stop was the Hackenberg Maginot Line Fortress. This is the second facility of this type we have visited. Guided tours are offered in language groups (French, German, and English). Admission is charged. There is a convenient parking lot, a parking lot for campers (paid), a toilet, and picnic benches. A great advantage of this trip was the opportunity to see how the gun tower operated, operated by a guide, and a ride on the underground railway was undoubtedly a highlight. While viewing the machines and equipment installed in the fortress to support life, its comfort, and defense, such as generators, ventilation, gas protection, transport equipment, etc., it is important to note that everything is operational (well, almost everything) and that it works. You can smell the diesel engine running and hear its sound and the generator it drives. Visiting Hackenberg Fortress, we have the opportunity to see the weapons, uniforms, and equipment of the soldiers who served there. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the admiration for the designers, builders, and those who lived and served here. Visiting Schoenenbourg Fortress and Hackenberg Fortress, it's easy to see that they are twins, or even more than twins, similar structures. In my opinion, this is yet another testament to the genius of the designers and strategists. One might ask, why visit multiple fortresses on the Maginot Line? If only to compare them and participate in tours with different scenarios. The tour lasts approximately three hours, and if time permits, it's worth exploring the surrounding area to see more.

Our tour of Ouvrage Hackenberg was the outstanding highlight of a recent three day visit to the Champagne Region. If you have the ability reach this remote location it’s definitely a “must see”. The capacity of the English language tour is limited so it’s advisable to book in advance. It’s also advisable to wear warm clothing. Our informative and entertaining English volunteer guide has a thorough knowledge of the facility and its history. Paul did an excellent job guiding us around the extensive labyrinth of tunnels that included a one kilometre ride on an original electric train to an outlying gun position. It’s a great credit to this team of volunteers that they are able to maintain this facility and keep so much of the original equipment in working condition.

Very interesting place to visit, it's entertaining all around the year. You need to take some warm clothes, even in summer. You can learn about history of Europe in 20th century, and see one of the most advanced engineering project in Europe. You need about three hours to enjoy this tour guided by the nice guy. Note: 6/5

Very interesting site with an English speaking guide telling us detailed things about the place, its history, and even provided a demo of a mortar launcher used then (without the mortar obviously). The place is well preserved and has good exhibits. It involves quite some walking (the whole tour took at least 2.5hours plus waiting time) and a short train ride. It is also pretty cold (12 degrees Celsius) under ground so make sure to wear something warm. Overall, it was an enjoyable and good learning experience for our family. The only remark I had was the tour is supposed to start at 14.15 (regardless which language) and we were requested to arrive at 14hrs. The French speaking tour started 10min later than 14.15 but the English one only started after 14.30 and the German one even later. It would've been better if various timing is communicated for each language's group so that visitors don't have to queue and wait for over half an hour.

By far one of the most impressive exhibitions you can visit. The tour lasts around 2.5 hours and takes you through the 15km of tunnels in the bunker. Much of the infrastructure still works, and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable. It's difficult to visit since it's so far from Thionville, but if you can make it here, it's an unforgettable experience costing only €15.

What a great find - so fascinating and our guide, Paul, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Do check times for the tours in your language - recommend this highly for any history enthusiasts.

Fantastic visit. Excellent guide and well worth the trip down through beautiful France.

Well this is certainly a tourist attraction with a difference. 'Attraction' may not be the correct word to use, but it is certainly a location that should be visited, if only to help some of those misguided individuals on our planet that seem to feel that war is the best way to accomplish their depraved goals. Taking the tour, and with a little imagination, you will get to understand some of horrors of what life was like for those who have experience war first hand, and get to see some of the remarkable infrastructure that was put in place underground, not just in this fortress, but also in many others in this part of France. The visit is fully guided and is progressive along an underground facility. It takes upwards of three hours, so be prepared for that. It is however, a truly must-see experience.