simserhof

The Simserhof Maginot Line site is very well done and a great day trip to do in combination with the Citadel at Bith, France. The Visitor Center has a nice display of WWII books and memorabilia. The tour starts with an excellent movie that outlines the post-WWI conditions that led to the building of the Maginot Line and the results when deterrence failed during the Battle of France in May 1940. After the movie you board a small automated train that rides the tracks into the ammunition/supply entrance of the fort where you will see a well choreographed tour of the WWII build-up, the "Sitzkrieg", and wonderful displays of the guns, periscopes and equipment used in the Fort. Follow this with the walking tour that takes you inside the "soldier's entrance" and provides a glimpse into the lives of the troops that manned the Fort. Sabrina was our tour guide and did a wonderful job! When done enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine and a flambé. The customer service is excellent and the food is okay. Bring a light weight jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Park in the lower lot--you can drive down the hill.

Visiting friends just over the border (Germany) led to the usual what do you want to do today. Hey, I know, isn't some of the Maginot Line around here. Yes indeed it is. Off we went and it was an great experience.In brief parking is limited, two lots, upper (best chance, longest walk); and lower (really small but short walk). We got lucky (rain and cold will do that) and arrived to the buildings easily. Do take a jacket no matter the weather as it is about 14-15C inside (about 56-59F) mos tdays we were told. The train tour was easy to get, again the cold and rain effect, so off we went for the English tour so we could all discuss was we saw and heard equally afterwards.It's a good history lesson in the area, two cultures and their rivalries/history, military thinking and political thinking.and a bit of what happens if you just don't quite think it all the way through or finish your work.A very good computer generated but based upon literal personal accounts type of tour. The wolking tour we were told covers far more area and provides other details and information but, we just didn't feel like doing that so..train, the movie, some brats & a bier before departing back to the house.A great time out and they say the tour has a few versions so, we imagine that one can do it at least twice and likely see new stuff. Perhaps more than that but...at least.

Very informative tour of this major fort on the Maginot Line. Good WWII review from a French perspective. The walking tour underground was particularly interesting, although it may not be possible for those with mobility issues. To access the entrance down into the tour area, one must be able to walk a little distance up a sloped path, and be able to walk a fair 1.5 hours, without restroom facilities. An elderly member of our group was unable to complete this part of the visit. There is an old creaky elevator down into the underground, but for the general tours a stairway of 149 steps (both directions) is part of the tour. Do remember a jacket or sweater as it is about 10* Celsius below ground and quite damp. The cafe was adequate and restroom facilities are only available in the main part of the visitor center, not once you are underground. The tour guide we had was very pleasant, professional and full of information and able to answer any questions our group had in English. We arrived at 10 AM and were one of the first tour groups, and left by 1:30. Our reservation was for 10:30. A good time to go, as it was much busier when we were ready to leave. Most ages would enjoy this.

Allow plenty of time - I was there 4.5 hours what with waiting for tours to start. But it is worth it. Take it all in - the film, automatic train ride, and especially the walking tour. Basic catering on site which you'll need as you'll be there so long. Modern visitor centre and very professionally done overall.

Before going, make sure you make a reservation. Tours are in French, German, and English but you must reserved beforehand to ensure they provide a tour in your language. As others have mentioned, you watch a short film at the beginning talking about the reasons the Maginot Line was built, what happened in that area during the war, and the aftermath. Then you take a train tour in the tunnel followed by a guided tour showing you where the soldiers worked, ate, bathed, medical facilities, and so on. Overall, I think it lasted about 3 hours and it's very cold in there (10°C / 50°F). And go to the bathroom before you start the tour because there are no bathroom facilities down there.

Being among the oldest baby boomers, we are acutely aware of how little World War II history we know, and how even less our children know. So, on a hot day in July, we decided it was time to see what the Maginot Line was really all about. What a magnificent site (as well as a testament to war planning folly)! The tour of the ammunition facilities via the automated train was very interesting, but the tour of the barracks, power facilities, and other areas led by a very articulate, witty guide was fascinating. Plan on about 3 hours to cover both, and while the cautions to bring a jacket are appropriate, we found the underground temperatures very pleasant, even in short sleeves (but then we're Americans used to air conditioning). One bit of advice--it's not obvious at the parking lot off the highway that there is a road down to parking very near to the facility. We didn't see that and took the "pietons" trail down into the valley (very steep in places). So unless you want a longish hike down and then back up, look for the road down the hill on the left side of the parking lot.

After a 15 mins slide/film show you spend 45 mins underground on the train. It is chilly so do not forget a coat. Visits are run in English so you won't miss anything. The sights and sounds are good and there is plenty to learn. The walk to the entrance is a little steep and long so if you have problems, drive down.The shop and restaurant are good and modern. Don't miss this place.

Simserhof war die Bezeichnung eines Artilleriewerks der französischen Maginot-Linie, etwa 4 km westlich von Bitche entfernt an der D 35 Richtung Sarreguemines. Das dem Festungsabschnitt Rohrbach zugeordnete Werk erhielt seinen Namen von einem früher dort befindlichen Bauernhof (frz. Ferme) und hatte die Aufgabe, den Grenzvorsprung nördlich Bitche (frz. Môle de Bitche) zu schützen. Heute handelt es sich praktisch um eine Art Museum. Man kann den Bunker zu Fuss und via Elektrobahn ausführlich besichtigen, ergänzend findet vorab eine Filmvorführung statt. Auch für das leibliche Wohl ist durch die moderne, saubere Cafeteria gesorgt.Die Besichtigungen (wir waren bereits mehrfach dort) und die dabei gesammelten Eindrücke haben für bleibende Erinnerungen gesorgt.

se puede llegar en coche hasta el mismo lugar, que esta a un km de la carretera principal. muy bien conservado.

Le site est vraiment très bien fait, la visite est complète: une projection, un circuit en train audioguidé avec des vidéos pendant le trajet et une partie découverte à pied.Très intéressant, devoir de mémoire et culture générale mêlés à une touche d'humour; un mélange qui ravit notre groupe!!Les guides sont des pros, nous étions avec Sabrina, qui vraiment a été parfaite, un grand merci à elle.A visiter!!!

Visite fort intéressante qui montre bien comment et où ont vécu les soldats dans ces ouvrages de la ligne Maginot.

La visite se deroule en 3 étapes: visionnage d un film relatant lhisoire, visite en petit train du site de tirs et enfin le site de vie des soldats à 25m sous terre. Duree 2h00. Attention de bien se vetir car 6 degré!visite tres interessante par contre pas du tout adaptée aux enfants

Belle découverte, explications correct, totalement dans l ambiance, pas adaptée au enfants et aux personnes âgées et mobilité réduite. Cinématographique bien A voir au moins une fois

La visita del Forte Simserhof è davvero interessante. E' consigliata la prenotazione in modo da poter decidere in che lingua si vuole fare la visita e dal sito web è davvero facile. Il tour è diviso in due parti. La prima parte, che dura circa 2h (per me la più interessante), viene effettuata a piedi insieme ad una guida. Durante queste due ore è possibile visitare diversi luoghi del forte, dai dormitori alle cucine, dalla stanza ricreativa alla sala medica e vedere ancora in funzione il generatore di elettricità, i filtri per l'umidità e l'ascensore.La seconda parte della visita (circa 1h) consiste nella visione di un filmato storico e in un tour su una navetta che fa riviveregli eventi della guerra.Importante: vestirsi pesante perchè dentro al forte ci sono circa 10-15 gradi.Molto consigliato per gli appassionati di storia della seconda guerra mondiale e non solo!!!

a visiter pour savoir la vie des soldats dans un endroit fermé pendants des mois.a faire sans les enfants