Sospel forts

The Bévéra Valley runs from Col de Turini to the medieval village of Sospel. Due to its strategic position, countless Maginot structures were built as part of the “Alpes Maritimes Fortified Sector” military programme. The buildings played a decisive role by pushing the Italian offensive back in June 1940. A defensive system made up of the Barbonnet, Agaisen and Saint-Roch forts was built in the valley in the 19th and 20th century.

Saint-Roch

Fort

The impressive Saint-Roch Fort was built between 1931 and 1933 as part of the Alpine Maginot Line with 4 reinforced concrete blocks above a network of corridors carved into the rock reaching as much as 30m deep. Up to 200 soldiers could live here self-sufficiently for 3 months just like in a submarine.

A trip here gives you the time to explore the site at your own pace. The reconstruction of fort life will leave the kids speechless. An exciting tour to try with the family. Don’t forget to bring a jumper because it’s barely 16 degrees inside! Don’t worry about going up and down the stairs, the adventure is well worth it.

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Understanding the Maginot Line

Saint-Roch Fort is home to an exhibition detailing its history. Travel deep into an underground world you’d never think existed from outside.

Suchet or

Barbonnet Fort

There are two forts on Mont Barbonnet. Suchet Fort was built at the top between 1883 and 1886 in the same context as the Authion one. A Maginot-style fort was built into the mountainside further down between 1931 and 1935 to strengthen the site’s defensive system.

It’s very discreet so it’s a surprise to see how big it is once you get there. It feels like a castle as you take moat-like paths to get there.

Nature has taken over here. The total silence reigning over the site makes you feel like you’re in another world. Graffiti in the barracks proves that there were actually soldiers here and they give the fort a touch of magic.

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The Séré de Rivières system

Following the 1870 defeat, General Séré de Rivières (nicknamed the 19th century Vauban) put forward a new fortification plan to protect the borders. New shells and explosives cast doubt on the system in the 1880s.

Agaisen

Fort

Another Maginot fort was built on Mont Agaisen between 1930 and 1937. It had strong artillery, protected the Saint-Roch, Castillon and Barbonnet forts and covered the border. A viewfinder table at the top provides you with an overview of the landscape and where other forts around Sospel are.

Enthusiastic volunteers run guided tours to introduce you to the site’s history and share funny anecdotes with you. Drink in the amazing views during your outing! You may even be able to see paragliders take off and fly down to the village of Sospel below.

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Monte Grosso Fort

in local history

It’s the cornerstone of the area’s fortified zone and the biggest structure on the south-east border. It was built between 1931 and 1935. It overlooks the Sospel road, Tende road, Col de Brouis and Col du Pérus from an altitude of 1000m. It had a defensive position between Authion and Agaisen. The mixed material structure is currently under renovation and played an active role in the June 1940 offensive.

Escape

Coastal forts

Italian fortifications

Authion and Redoute des Trois Communes