The Territoire de Belfort is a département in the current region of Franche-Comté in eastern France .  The département is the fifth smallest in France after Paris , Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, and Val-de-Marne.

Created in 1922, it is made up of that part of the former province of Alsace which was retained by France between 1871-1919. The territory was spared German annexation on the ground of its heroic resistance in 1871, as well as due to the fact that people there were French speaking unlike in the rest of Alsace.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Vauban's fortifications and the castle is a superb military stronghold housing the Museum of Art and History, with exhibits on the city history from prehistoric times to the present. Today this remarkable array of fortifications provides an interesting walk and extensive views of the surroundings. The terrace at the top of the castle, which is open to the public, offers the same view as the platform at the base of the Lion.

Carved from red Vosges sandstone, 22 m long and 11 m high, The Lion sits at the foot of Belfort castle. Sculpted by Bartholdi in 1880, it commemorates the heroic defense the city put up against the Prussians in 1870, during a 103 days siege. It was listed as a Historical Monument in 1930.

Brisach's Gate, built in 1687 by Vauban, has been preserved in its original form. It bears the emblem of King Louis XIV, the sun, carved into the triangular pediment

Place d'Armes, the center of the old town, attracts people with its bars and restaurants as well as St. Christophe Church, the Town Hall, the music kiosque built in 1905 and the "Quand Même" statue, erected in 1884 on the square in memory of the siege of 1870-71.

L'Hôtel de Ville" is the town hall, built in 1724. A beautiful staircase leads up to the "Salle d'Honneur" (Honor room) on the second floor, decorated with paintings illustrating the history of Belfort .