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Key figures

Origin and history

The Belfort Museum of History and Archaeology has its origins in the Museum of Art and History founded in 1872 by the Belfortain Society of Emulation. At the time, it included archaeological collections from local excavations (Cravanche groves, Gallo-Roman villa in Bavilliers) and objects related to the region's military history, including those from the 1870-1871 siege. These collections were enriched by donations such as Pierre Boigeol's in 1968, which offered more than 800 military pieces, marking the museum's specialization in history and archaeology.

The museum is now housed in the former barracks of the citadel of Belfort, a building built in 1826 by General Haxo on the remains of a medieval castle. This site, marked by conflicts like the siege of 1870, houses three thematic spaces: a basement dedicated to archaeology (Neolithic, Gallo-Roman era, burgundy burials), a ground floor dedicated to the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi (author of the Lion of Belfort), and a floor exploring local military history, with Japanese armor and personal effects of Colonel Denfert-Rochereau.

Since 2003, the museum has been awarded the label "Musée de France", which requires missions to preserve, study and disseminate collections. He regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, such as National 83, the liberation of Belfort (2015) or Archaeology of paper, while valuing rare pieces: Gallo-Roman mosaics, ceramics of Ofemont, or samurai armors. Its anchor in the citadel, classified and restored after 1870, makes it an emblematic place of the memory of Belgium.

The museum collaborates with other municipal sites, such as Tower 41 (home to fine arts) and Tower 46 (temporary exhibitions), while maintaining a unique identity centered on archaeology and local history. Its collections, from excavations, bequests and acquisitions, cover periods from Neolithic to 20th century, with a focus on Gallo-Roman civilizations, burgundy and modern conflicts. The 2016 French Museum Awards ranked Belfort second among the medium-sized cities, highlighting its cultural dynamism.

Among the museum's assets are its local archaeological collections (prehistoric caves of Cravanche, Merovingian necropolis of Bourogne) and its military holdings, including personal objects of historical figures such as General Lecourbe. The building itself, integrated into the Vauban enclosure, bears witness to the architectural evolution of Belfort, between medieval heritage and 19th century transformations. Temporary exhibitions, like A good shot, good shot! (2015), complement this offer by exploring various themes, from archaeology to contemporary history.

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