

French strategy therefore envisioned a move into Belgium to counter a German assault. Ĭonstructed on the French side of its borders with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium, the line did not extend to the English Channel. The line has since become a metaphor for expensive efforts that offer a false sense of security. Indeed, Belgium feared it would be sacrificed in the event of another German invasion. The line, which was supposed to be fully extended further towards the west to avoid such an occurrence, was finally scaled back in response to demands from Belgium. In consequence, the Germans invaded through the Low Countries in 1940, passing it to the north. The Maginot Line was impervious to most forms of attack. The Maginot Line ( French: Ligne Maginot, IPA: ), named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, is a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany and force them to move around the fortifications.

Named after André Maginot (French Minister of War, late 1920s – early 1930s).Mostly intact, through the preservation of the French Government Entrance to Ouvrage Schoenenbourg, Maginot Line in Alsace
