The Maginot Line in Alsace is a series of military fortifications built by France between the two World Wars to protect itself against a potential German invasion. It is named after the Minister of War André Maginot, who initiated this ambitious project. Stretching for approximately 280 kilometers in Alsace, from the Swiss border north of Strasbourg to the German border north of Wissembourg, the Maginot Line consisted of bunkers, casemates, turrets, and underground galleries. These fortifications were meant to provide a strong defense in case of an attack, with firing positions for artillery and obstacles to slow down the advance of enemy troops. Despite efforts to make this line impenetrable, it proved ineffective during World War II. In May 1940, the German army bypassed the Maginot Line by launching its attack through the Ardennes, thus avoiding most of the fortifications. Today, the Maginot Line in Alsace has become a symbol of military strategy and the region's history. Many of the structures are open to the public as museums and memorial sites, allowing visitors to explore the remnants of that tumultuous era and gain a better understanding of the events that shaped Alsace.