At the heart of the historic town, Tour 46, like the Musée des Beaux-arts in Tour 41, is a bastioned architectural structure designed by Vauban in the 17th century for the defence of Belfort.
Tower 46 is pentagonal in shape and built of pink sandstone and brick. It comprises a casemated lower section supported by an enormous central masonry pillar and fitted with embrasures for cannons defending the ditches. On the upper level, the crenellated platform covered by a framework that could be dismantled in wartime could accommodate 7 to 8 artillery pieces.
Classified as a Historic Monument in 1971, this structure houses temporary exhibitions produced by the Musée(s) de Belfort on a variety of original themes in partnership with leading national and international museums.