Saarlouis (German:[zaːɐ̯ˈlʊɪ̯]ⓘ;[3] French:Sarrelouis,[saʁlwi]; formerlySarre-Libre andSaarlautern) is a town in the state ofSaarland, in westernGermany, located on the banks of theSaar river. With a population of over 37,000 (2024), it is the fifth-largest city of Saarland and serves as an important regional center. Saarlouis lies near the border withFrance andLuxembourg. The town functions as the administrative seat of thedistrict of Saarlouis and is part of the cross-borderSaarLorLux Euroregion.
Saarlouis was founded in 1680 by order ofLouis XIV of France as a fortress town designed by the military engineerVauban. The stronghold was intended to secure France’s new frontier after theTreaty of Nijmegen. The star-shaped fortifications gave the city its characteristic layout, parts of which remain visible today. Saarlouis became part ofPrussia following theTreaty of Paris of 1815.
In the 20th century, Saarlouis shared the turbulent history of the Saar region, which changed hands multiple times due to its strategic and economic importance. Following theTreaty of Versailles, the town became part of theTerritory of the Saar Basin administered by theLeague of Nations, before rejoining Germany in 1935 after aplebiscite. After World War II, Saarlouis was again included in the French-occupiedSaar protectorate before theSaar Treaty of 1956 paved the way for its return to Germany in 1957.
Today, Saarlouis is a regional centre of commerce, culture, and industry. It is known for its French-inspired urban layout, historic fortifications, and cultural events such as the annual “Emmes” town festival. Its location close to France and Luxembourg makes it a key part of the SaarLorLux region.
With theTreaties of Peace of Nijmegen in 1678/79,Lorraine fell to France. In 1680,Louis XIV of France gave orders to build a fortification (to defend the new French eastern frontier) on the banks of the river Saar which was calledSarre-Louis. Notable Frenchmilitary engineer,Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban, constructed the town, which would serve as the capital of theProvince de la Sarre. The plans were made by Thomas de Choisy, the town's first Gouvenour. In 1683, Louis XIV visited the fortress and granted arms. The coat of arms shows the rising sun and threeFleur-de-lis. The heraldic motto isDissipat Atque Fovet: He (the Sun) dispels (the clouds) and heats (the earth).
In 1697, theTreaty of Ryswick made most parts of Lorraine independent again, but Saarlouis and the surrounding areas remained a Frenchexclave. During theFrench Revolution, the town was renamed Sarre-Libre, but it returned to its original name in 1810. With theTreaty of Paris in 1815, Saarlouis (and the whole region later known as theSaargebiet) becamePrussian.
MarshalMichel Ney, who was born in Saarlouis, was arrested and tried fortreason after the failure ofNapoleon I'sWaterloo Campaign. Ney's attorney tried to use the Prussian annexation to save his client's life, arguing that Ney was no longer a French citizen and therefore exempt from the court's jurisdiction. Ney refused to cooperate, declaring himself to be French, and so was convicted and later executed.
AfterWorld War I, French troops occupied Saarlouis. The Saargebiet became a protectorate of theLeague of Nations for 15 years. In 1933, a considerable number of anti-NaziGermans fled to the Saar, as it was the only part of Germany left outside theThird Reich's control. As a result, anti-Nazi groups campaigned heavily for the Saarland to remain under control ofLeague of Nations as long asAdolf Hitler ruled Germany. However, long-held sentiments against France remained entrenched, and very few sympathized openly with France. When the 15-year-term was over, aplebiscite was held in the territory on 13 January 1935: 90.3% of those voting wished to rejoin Germany.
From 1936 till 1945, Saarlouis was named as Saarlautern (-lautern being a common ending of town and village names in Germany) in an attempt by the Nazis to Germanise the town name.
AfterWorld War II, the region (then called theSaarland), was again occupied by France. In aplebiscite in 1955, most of the people in the Saarland opted for the reunification with theFederal Republic of Germany, and on 1 January 1957, it became the 10th federal state of West Germany.
In 1980, Saarlouis celebrated its 300th anniversary.
Even today, thefortress dominates the town's hexagonal floor plan. Beside the buildings made byVauban, there are also some constructions left from the 19th century when thePrussians got control over the town. After 1887, some parts of the fortress wereslighted, but many buildings and places, e.g. thecasemates, somebarracks and theGreat Market with the Commander's Office and theVauban island, a formerravelin with a memorial forMichel Ney can still be seen today.
Saarlouis was famous for its nearby steel and iron ore production and its nearby mining facilities. Today, theFord Motor Company'sSaarlouis Body & Assembly is the town's largest employer, producing theFord Focus. The plant in the Roederberg suburb opened in 1970, but in 2022 is threatened with closure when the Ford Focus production cycle runs out in 2025.[4]
Inland Port Saarlouis/Roden
The industrial port in Saarlouis-Roden is Germany's 13th largestinland port.[5] Saarlouis is also a manufacturer of chocolate.[6]
