What's On in Burgundy 2007?

Vauban 2007 Celebrations

We go back to the era of the Three Musketeers, of swashbucklers and the extravagant court of Louis XIV. But amid this adventure, glamour and gallantry France had enemies on many fronts – Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, Holland and England, plus a good deal of internal strife.

Behind the scenes there was a very conscientious and serious man who was largely responsible for military victory throughout the reign of the Sun King and who was to lay the groundwork for the future successes of Napoleon. Soldier and military strategist Maréchal Vauban was responsible for over 300 fortifications all over France in the second half of the 17C. In this era of sieges, he had no equal in the art of attacking and defending strongholds and his work was avidly studied, no less by his enemies.

Born in St. Léger Vauban on the edge of the Morvan Forest, he made Château de Bazoches near Vézelay his home and here he had his war room and strategy centre. And so highly thought of was he by Emperor Napolean I that after his death he had Vauban’s heart placed in Les Invalides, which is now close to Napoleons’s own remains.

As part of the celebrations, the grounds of Château de Bazoches will come alive on the weekend of July 14 and 15. There will be equestrian events, theatre, crafts, music and street parties.

For more information (in French) www.vaubanecomusee.org