"Ingénieur de France" (honourary title)
French general, master fortress builder to Louis XIV and Marshal of France
Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, also known as the Marquis de Vauban, was an outstanding French general, master fortress builder and Marshal of France. As a military engineer and tactician, he made a significant contribution to the defence and conquest of fortresses. His extensive life's work includes not only fortress construction, but also scientific and literary contributions.
Vauban's legacy includes numerous buildings, including fortresses, fortifications and town planning. He planned 33 new and modernised over 300 existing fortresses and is considered the creator of the Iron Belt, which France used to secure its external borders under Louis XIV. As a soldier and general, he took part in over 50 sieges and 140 battles and was wounded several times. The ideal fortified town of Neuf-Brisach (FR) is considered to be his main work.
His ideas on military art and his literary works are still important today. Memorials, monuments and even world heritage sites bear his name. Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban remains an outstanding representative of engineering officers and a symbol of innovation and strategic brilliance.
Twelve fortifications in France that were significantly influenced by him were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008 under the name "Fortifications of Vauban".
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