The Amazing Scale Models of the Musée des Plans-reliefs

These amazing scale models of French fortifications and fortified towns were made by French military engineers between 1668 and 1873. Beginning with the great engineer Vauban, who created this style of fortification, the engineers documented their work with "plans-relief" like these. The scales range from 1:95 to 1:600. More than a hundred have been collected in the Musée des Plans-reliefs in Paris, housed within l'Hôtel des Invalides. Above, Saint-Omer.

The purpose was military, but the engineers rendered the towns accurately as well. Saint-Tropez.

La Citadelle de la Bitche.

Detail of Strasbourg.

Bergen op Zoom.

Neuf-Brisach.

 And two other places posted without names.