The Esseillon forts
The Esseillon forts were built between 1815 and 1830 during the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia to block the passage of French armies. The Esseillon glacial barrier (known as “scala” in Piedmontese) was ideally suited to these forts, which were designed to provide mutual defense through crossfire.
These structures are named after members of the royal family: Victor Emmanuel and Marie-Thérèse, Charles-Félix and Marie-Christine, and Charles-Albert. They blocked access to the main passage between France and Piedmont, thereby controlling the royal route over Mont Cenis. The Barrier seemed impassable, but… a few years after its completion, Savoy became part of France, and the forts lost all defensive utility.
Although this military post was not the site of any battles, it is nonetheless steeped in history and has been designated a “Historic Monument.”
Fort Boyard and Forts de l'Esseillon
The marquis Marc-René de Montalembert's architectural concepts are the same as those of the military engineer.
Built between 1815 and 1830 during the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, the Esseillon fortified complex reflects the ideas of the Marquis de Montalembert (1714–1800), whose theories stood in contrast to those of Vauban. The Esseillon glacial barrier (known as an “échelle” in Piedmontese) was ideally suited to the architect’s design, which advocated for the mutual defense of each fort through crossfire.
The various structures are named after members of the royal family: Marie-Christine, Marie-Thérèse, Victor-Emmanuel, Charles-Albert, and Charles-Félix.
These imposing forts blocked access to the main passage between France and Piedmont, thereby controlling the Mont-Cenis Royal Road. It was in 1860, when Savoy was annexed by France, that they became part of the national heritage.
Although restoration work is still underway, three of the five forts are open to visitors (self-guided or guided tours). Families can bring their children to step into the shoes of a soldier and take part in a scavenger hunt at Fort Victor-Emmanuel.
The Marie-Thérèse Redoubt houses the Fortified Heritage Interpretation Centre, while the Marie-Christine Fort offers quality accommodation and catering.
Nearby: Parcobranche du Diable and zip lines, Via Ferrata du Diable, Guinguette de l’Esseillon, PSD, spy game, Pont du Diable, La Gamelle du Soldat, Saint-Benoît Waterfall, information center, guided tours, evening tours, escape games, cultural outreach space.
Le fort Marie-Christine
Restaurant and B&B in an unusual settingThe fort closest to the village (Fort Marie-Christine) has been fully restored and now houses a guesthouse and a restaurant. The fort is open to visitors (free admission), allowing you to explore a scale model of the entire Esseillon site, a beautiful wooden roof structure, and an exhibition on the Vanoise National Park.
Below, the Charles Félix fort is in ruins and access to it is dangerous and not recommended. It is the only ruined fort on the Esseillon barrier. Indeed, when Savoie became French in 1860, the French undertook to destroy the Esseillon forts. To prove their good faith to the Italians, they started with Fort Charles Félix. Then... they stopped there and even occupied the remaining forts militarily for decades...
Fort Victor-Emmanuel
Games trail, via-ferrata and museumIn the largest fort on the Esseillon (Fort Victor Emmanuel), a treasure hunt offers children and families a guided tour. Children can step into the shoes of a 19th-century French spy to try to learn more about this fort built by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Clue by clue, game by game, they can uncover the mysteries of the Esseillon.
Fort Victor Emmanuel also houses a new museum space dedicated to rock engravings found aroundAussois in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise region.
Fort Victor-Emmanuel is also the starting point for the magnificent Devil's via ferrata. With its seven sections of varying difficulty levels, it’s a must-see during your stay in Aussois.
La Redoute Marie-Thérèse
Museum, escape-game and accrobrancheTo learn even more about the history of the forts, the Redoute Marie-Thérèse, with its striking “horseshoe” architecture on the left bank of the Arc River (pedestrian access from Aussois the stunning “Pont du Diable”), houses a Fortified Heritage Interpretation Center. This museum offers a comprehensive look at the origins of the forts, their construction, and their use…
La Redoute also offers scavenger hunts and escape rooms.
Right next door, a large tree-top adventure park offers extensive tree-top courses for the whole family, as well as dizzying zip lines that let you “fly” over the Arc Gorges.