France´s Historical Forts Vie for World Heritage Listing

Some of France´s most stunning 17th century citadels and mountain forts, built by the military engineer Marshal Vauban, are vying to be listed as World Heritage sites, organizers said last week.

If they are accepted, they would join some 812 sites already listed by the UN organization around the world including such wonders as the Giza pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China.

Vauban (1633-1707), who was born Sebastien Le Prestre, was the foremost military engineer of his age devising strategies for both defending and attacking towns around the country under the Sun King, Louis XIV.

His legacy can be seen across the country in France´s famed fortified towns, such as the citadels of Besancon in the east and Arras in the north as well as bridges and coastal observation towers.

Under UNESCO rules, each country can put forward only one project for consideration every year. Thus the association is competing against some 30 other French projects, of which three or four are thought to stand a real chance, which are all hoping to be chosen by the French culture ministry.