Hackenberg Fort
the largest fort on the Maginot Line
Discover one of Europe's most impressive military structures
Located in Veckring, Moselle, the’Hackenberg Fort is considered one of the greatest and most powerful works on the entire Maginot Line. A true underground giant built in the 1930s, this military fort still impresses today with its exceptional dimensions, its remarkable state of preservation, and its still-functioning installations.
With its kilometres of underground galleries, combat blocks, electric military train, and gigantic artillery turrets, Hackenberg represents one of the most spectacular testaments to French military history.
Today open to the public, it is one of the major sites of the Maginot Line and of historical tourism in Lorraine.
The largest work of the Maginot Line
The Hackenberg Fortress was built between 1929 and 1935 in the Boulay fortified sector to defend the strategic approaches to Metz and the German border.
From its conception, the Hackenberg was designed as an exceptional structure.
A few figures illustrate the scale of the site:
- 19 combat and entrance blocks ;
- over 10 kilometres of underground tunnels ;
- almost 160 hectares in area; ;
- over 1,000 soldiers mobilised in wartime ;
- several standalone power plants ;
- an electrified underground railway network for military use ;
- some galleries located almost 30 metres underground.
The Hackenberg is often considered the greatest work on the entire Maginot Line.
A genuine underground military city
Like the grandest works of the Maginot Line, Hackenberg is designed to allow its crew to live in total autonomy for several weeks.
Underground, the soldiers have at their disposal:
- barrack rooms ;
- cuisines ;
- infirmary ;
- Ammunition stores ;
- workshops ;
- ventilation systems ;
- water reserves ;
- power station ;
- complete technical installations.
The complex functions as a veritable underground city protected by several metres of reinforced concrete.
Even today, a large part of this equipment is visible during visits.
The famous Hackenberg military train
One of the most impressive features of the Hackenberg Fortification is its underground military train.
At the time, this railway network was used to transport:
- ammunition ;
- military hardware ;
- Technical equipment ;
- the supplies necessary for the operation of the fort.
The electric train still runs today and is an integral part of the tour.
This immersive experience allows visitors to discover the fort exactly as soldiers would have travelled around it during the 1930s and the Second World War.
Impressive artillery turrets
The Hackenberg is famous for its powerful artillery installations.
The work includes, among other things:
- armoured turrets; ;
- bomb racks ;
- artillery cannons; ;
- from observatories; ;
- of heavily protected combat blocks.
Some restored turrets are still capable of functioning today.
During visits, visitors can observe the moving mechanisms and understand the extremely sophisticated functioning of the Maginot Line's defence systems.
The Hackenberg during the Second World War
When war broke out in 1939, the Hackenberg became one of the symbols of French defensive power.
The site is even visited by Winston Churchill and George VI before the fighting of 1940.
Unlike some sections of the Maginot Line, the Hackenberg Fort was never directly captured by German forces during the campaign in France.
Its guns continued to support neighbouring positions until the armistice in June 1940. Like several major fortifications of the Maginot Line, it ceased fighting only after the orders to surrender.
The Hackenberg during the Liberation
The military history of the Hackenberg does not stop in 1940.
During the Occupation, German forces used some of the underground facilities. In 1944, the fort again took part in fighting during the advance of American troops in Lorraine.
Several blocks then came under heavy bombardment, the traces of which are still visible today.
These scars are a reminder that the Hackenberg saw two major periods of fighting during the Second World War.
An unmissable site for visiting the Maginot Line
Today, the Hackenberg Fort is among the most visited sites on the entire Maginot Line.
The visit allows you to discover:
- the underground galleries ;
- the original facilities ;
- the military train ;
- power stations ;
- barracks ;
- ammunition shops ;
- the artillery blocks ;
- the armoured turrets.
Guided tours generally last nearly 2.5 hours and offer an exceptional immersion into the world of 20th-century French fortifications.
Le Hackenberg and the Fort de Fermont
The Hackenberg Fort and the Fort de Fermont are among the most impressive Maginot Line fortifications still open to the public.
While Fort Fermont is famous for its exceptional museum and significant collection of cannons, Fort Hackenberg impresses with its gigantic dimensions and immense underground network.
The discovery of the two sites allows for a better understanding of the full diversity and power of the French fortifications built before the Second World War.
Why visit the Hackenberg Ouvrage?
Visiting Hackenberg allows:
- to discover the largest work of the Maginot Line; ;
- to explore over 10 kilometres of underground galleries; ;
- to borrow a genuine historic military train; ;
- to observe artillery turrets in operation; ;
- to understand the daily life of fortress soldiers; ;
- to discover a major Second World War site; ;
- to experience a unique immersion in French military history.
Frequently asked questions
The Hackenberg Ouvrage is located in French territory.
The Hackenberg Fort is located in Veckring, in Moselle, in the Grand Est region.
Hackenberg is famous for what reason?
It is considered one of the greatest works on the entire Maginot Line.
How many kilometres of tunnels does the Hackenberg have?
The work has over 10 kilometres of underground galleries.
Can you still see the military train in operation?
Yes, the historic electric train is still used during tours.
How long does the visit last?
The guided tour usually lasts approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Hackenberg and the Fort de Fermont are both fortifications from the Maginot Line in France. The Hackenberg is a major underground fortress and the Fort de Fermont is a smaller, more accessible fort. They are located relatively close to each other in the Moselle region.
The two sites are among the most important visitable works of the Maginot Line and constitute major references in memorial tourism in Lorraine.