The forts of Esseillon
Fort Boyard and Forts de l'Esseillon
The same architectural concepts of the military engineer the marquis Marc-René de Montalembert
Built between 1815 and 1830 at the time of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, the fortified complex of l'Esseillon is linked to the conceptions of the Marquis of Montalembert (1714-1800) whose theories were opposed to those of Vauban.
The glacial lock of the Esseillon (ladder in Piedmontese) lent itself perfectly to the conception thought by the architect who advocated a mutual defense of each fort by crossed fire.
The different structures are named after members of the royal family. Marie-Christine, Marie-Thérèse, Victor-Emmanuel, Charles-Albert and Charles-Félix.
These imposing forts locked the access to the main passage between France and Piedmont, thus controlling the royal road of Mont-Cenis.
In 1860, when Savoy was annexed to France, they became national heritage.
Still under restoration, three of the five forts can be visited (free or accompanied tours). As a family, children can put themselves in the shoes of a soldier and follow the trail game in Fort Victor-Emmanuel.
The Marie-Thérèse Redoubt houses the Fortified Heritage Interpretation Center and the Marie-Christine Fort offers quality lodging and dining.
A little boy of 10 years old came with his grandmother with whom he was on summer vacation in La Chambre, to see this fort which bore his first name: Victor-Emmanuel.
The forts can be reached either by the D1006, 5 km from Modane, parking in front of the Marie-Thérèse Redoubt, or by Aussois: Fort Marie-Christine, Charles Albert, Charles Félix and Victor-Emmanuel, the old road of the forts between Aussois and Avrieux.
Nearby: Parcobranche du Diable and tyroliennes, via ferrata du Diable, Guinguette de l'Esseillon, PSD, spy game, Pont du Diable, la Gamelle du Soldat, cascade Saint-Benoît, information point, guided tours, nocturnes, escape games, cultural mediation space.