Simserhof Fortress

The Maginot Line–Simserhof: If you wish to see more fortifications, visit the Simserhof Fortress, located near the town of Bitche. It is the fourth largest of the fortresses along the Maginot Line. To reach the site, go south on A31 from Thionville, then east on the A4 (bypassing Metz). From the A4, take exit 43 near Rimsdorf, then north for 5 km, then east on the D8 (which becomes D35). When you come to Rohrbach, continue east on D62. Simserhof is located five kilometers before you reach the town of Bitche. Simserhof is different from the other fortresses in that it has received outside funding for renovations—whereas most depend almost totally on financial support from their local communities. As a result, the tour is a bit more “polished” than the others along the Maginot Line. The tour begins at the visitors’ center where an 18-minute film is shown giving the background of the Maginot Line, including why it was built. Afterwards an open-air electric train takes you 30 meters underground for a short tour. The tour is well done with dioramas demonstrating what it must have been like to have been one of the soldiers stationed here.