Fort de Huy

The Fort de Huy, built by the Dutch between 1818 and 1823, is a place steeped in history and a must-see tourist attraction in Terres-de-Meuse. Situated on the banks of the Meuse, it offers breathtaking panoramic views over the town of Huy and its immediate surroundings. The fort occupies the site of Huy’s former castle, known as “Tchestia”, which was demolished in 1717. The only vestige of the castle is the 16th-century well, testifying to the area’s rich historical heritage.

Getting there

A major historical legacy

Fort de Huy, witness to conflicts and the evolution of the region

Aware of its strategic importance, the Dutch state decided to build this fortress to lock down the Meuse valley. However, the fort was never used for military purposes.

Over the years, it was transformed into a political prison for the “Risquons-tout” republicans in 1848, then ceded to the town of Huy in 1876 before being bought back by the state in 1880 and reintegrated into the Meuse defensive system in 1914.

During the First World War, it served first as an internal discipline camp for Germans, then as accommodation for Russian prisoners and finally as a regimental school for the Quatorzième de Ligne.

Fort De Huy Copyright Office Du Tourisme

During the Second World War

A dark chapter of detention and resistance

The fort’s tragic history took a dark turn during the Second World War. From May 1940 to September 5, 1944, the German army transformed it into a detention camp, where over 7,000 prisoners were incarcerated, mainly political prisoners and hostages. Under the administration of the Wehrmacht and directed by Commandant Frimberger, the fort became a symbol of the Nazi concentration camp universe. The living conditions of the prisoners, the sinister dungeons, the interrogation room and the detention chambers bear witness to the cruelty of this dark period in history. Many patriots, resistance fighters and hostages were interned here, risking their lives every day. Some were deported to concentration camps, while others were executed elsewhere.

Fort De Huy Et Memorial Jean Marc Leonard

An immersive tour

Discover the dungeons, interrogations and daily life of the prisoners at Fort de Huy.

Today, Fort de Huy is a place of remembrance of the Second World War. The museum area provides visitors with an insight into the living conditions of prisoners and the daily life of the population during the Nazi occupation. A tour of the various rooms reveals the poignant testimonies of those who lived through this painful period. A video also completes the visit, giving a voice to first-hand witnesses of the period. The fort also offers the possibility of booking educational activities focusing on knowledge of the two world wars and citizenship education, making it an important awareness-raising venue for schools.