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Located on a rocky spur, at the confluence of the Ubaye and Ubayette valleys, the fort's buildings, majestic and clinging to the steep slope, inevitably attract the attention of travelers on the D900 due to their size and their location worthy of Tibetan monasteries. The complex of fortifications extends over nearly 700 meters in elevation, from the valley at 1330 meters altitude up to 1690 meters, at the highest point of the fortifications.
The construction, decided in 1837 by General Haxo, responsible for fortifications under the July Monarchy, began in 1843 was completed in 1866, involving 1,500 workers. Thus, since the mid-nineteenth century, the Tournoux site has been the core of the strategic system of the Ubaye valley. At end of the 19th century, General Séré de Rivière decided to reinforce the existing system with upper structures culminating at over 1,800 meters altitude. This led to the construction of the Vyraisse, Mallemort, and Cuguret batteries, and the Roche-la-Croix redoubt. The engineering troops had to fig connecting tunnels through the rock in order to connect the upper parts of the fortress, and the cable car that joins the upper battery to the Ubaye valley. In 1880, the Caurres battery was built at 1780 m altitude to defend the heights; surrounded by a wall with a moat, it is connected to the upper fort by gates and a crenellated fort, as well as by a gallery dug into the rock.
During the First World War, the fort was used only to imprison German officers. In 1940, at the beginning of the Second World War, the fort served as a command post for troops defending access to the Italian border. Its guns, along with those of the Maginot Line positions, participated in the defense of the border on the Italian side. Dormant during the occupation, it served as a rear base for troops attempting to recapture the forts held by the occupying forces.
Finally, the fort served as an ammunition depot until it was demilitarized in 1987. The medium fort and the battery are open to visitors.
Information and tours: Tourist Office of the Ubaye Community of Communes:
4, avenue des trois frères Arnaud 04400 Barcelonnette
Tel. 04 92 81 03 68
Fax 04 92 81 51 67
Email: info@ubaye.com
