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17th century town ramparts designed by
Vauban.
There is a zoo in part of the moat.
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France's historic frontier lookout
post
Looking over the gently flowing sweep of the river Sambre,
you find it difficult to believe that
Maubeuge
hasn't always been this peaceful.
Maubeuge was a key frontier stronghold,
repeatedly fought over by the French and whoever ruled
Flanders. Louis
XIV finally captured it from the
Spanish
and brought it within the borders of France. Its
fortifications were strengthened by Vauban
in the 17th century.
Industry and canals
In the 19th century, Maubeuge grew as an important centre of
the steel industry - its blast furnaces and rolling mills
were supplied with fuel by the Sambre Canal (and later
railways) from the coalfields of north France and Belgium.
As elsewhere in the North, this industry was badly hit by
the economic crises of the 1970's and '80's, and Maubeuge
was forced to attract new employment.
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Second World war
Maubeuge lay right in the path of the German invasion in
1940, which obliterated the old town. Vauban's fort was one
part that survived. The Pons de Mons gate and the Pont
Dormant bridge have been entirely renovated. The guardhouse
(Maison du Corps de Garde) has a museum of
fortifications.
Zoological gardens
Maubeuge's safari park at the bottom of the ramparts has
over 500 different kinds of animals, birds and
reptiles.
River Sambre
Once a busy route for canal barges carrying coal and
industrial products between France and Belgium, the river is
now used as much for cruises and pleasure
boating.
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