During the attack on the fortress of Luxembourg in 1684, Vauban placed his gun batteries at this point on the Grünewald heights in order to enfilade the Porte Neuve front, which was the target of the main attack. The Paffendal crownwork, renamed Fort Niedergrünewald by the Austrians, took the form of a crown with 3 bastions. Vauban built ravelins between each bastion, to protect the curtain walls. The fan-shaped arrangement of these constructions enabled the fort to present several fronts.
The entire defence system was based on an impressive network of mines. There are a total of 56 mine furnaces, divided into three categories: destruction mines, fougasses and countermines. Behind the left-hand curtain wall is the wartime powder magazine, built in 1860/61.
This structure has been altered several times over its history. The reduit was renovated during construction works on the Vauban Circuit; it has been partially rebuilt and is open to the public. The countermine galleries can be accessed via the ditch or the staircase in the reduit.
The dismantling of the fort did not begin until 1872 with the demolition of the gunpowder magazine. It was completed in 1876.