The Citadel of Montmédy is a beautiful piece of military history that has been preserved. A fortress was built on top of this hill as early as the Middle Ages. From this high point you have a great view of the entire area. After the conquest of the area by Louis XIV, he had his master architect Vauban improve and strengthen the fort. Vauban renovated the fort according to the most modern military ideas at the time and gave it his characteristic shape. The fort has a number of defensive walls around it in a kind of star shape. The idea behind this is that the enemy becomes disoriented once within the first walls. To reach the fort you first have to go through a number of walls and canals. The fort experienced several wars. Its first major test was the Napoleonic Wars, during which it was severely damaged. In the second half of the 19th century there was a confrontation between France and Prussia. Some damaged houses in the village were bombed during that period. In the First World War the garrison left the fortress to flee to nearby Verdun. It was never given a defensive function again.
The village itself within the walls is also very nice, although it is still being restored. A large number of houses are still badly damaged.