The military road to Fort de la Redoute in Savoie
France, europe
8.9 km
2,346 m
moderate
Year-round
# Fort de la Redoute: A High-Alpine Adventure
Perched at a dramatic 2,346 meters (7,696 ft) in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Fort de la Redoute sits near the Italian border in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This isn't just any mountain fort—it's a fascinating relic of European history.
The fort's story is wild: originally built by the House of Savoy way back in 1630, it's been passed around more times than a mountain goat changes elevation. The French took control in 1794, renamed it Fort-Libre, then rebuilt it as Redoute-Ruinée in the 1890s. President Félix Faure even stopped by in 1897. Fast forward to WWII, and about 70 French soldiers made a legendary stand here against Italian forces until July 1940. The fort later served as part of the Maginot Line's Alpine defenses and was occupied by the Germans until 1945.
**The Road Itself**
Want to visit? Get ready for a real adventure. The 8.9-km (5.53-mile) unpaved military track starts and finishes on the paved D1090, and it's only doable in summer months. Winter? Forget about it—snow makes this route completely impassable. Same goes for after heavy rain. You'll need a serious vehicle too: 4x4 or enduro bikes only.
But here's the payoff: stunning alpine views and genuinely impressive history waiting at the summit. Just note that the fort itself is off-limits due to structural concerns, but the surrounding area is part of the La Rosière ski zone and popular with hikers and trail enthusiasts.
Where is it?
The military road to Fort de la Redoute in Savoie is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 45.9389, 1.6890
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 8.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,346 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 45.9389, 1.6890
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