I mentioned in my last post that last fall I visited Fort du Saint-Eynard in the Chartreuse mountains above Grenoble. It is a fortress built in the 19th century as defence against a potential Italian invasion. It is accessible by car but there are also multiple hiking trails to get there. It offers a great view on Grenoble and the surrounding mountains.
Fort l’Écluse is a fortress near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine. It guards the Rhône valley between the Vuache hills and the Jura Mountains and is a natural entrance into France from Geneva. The fort was founded by the Duchy of Savoy in the 13th century and, after it was ceded to France along with the Pays de Gex during the reign of Louis XIV, completed by Vauban. It was destroyed by the Austrians in 1815, but was rebuilt by the French and considerably strengthened and heightened. The fort is open to visitors during summer.
The Fort de Tamié is a military fortress built by France starting in 1872 with the goal of defending the Albertville valley. It is located on Col de Tamié, in the Bauges mountains between Albertville and Faverges. Beyond its historical interest, it offers a great view on Albertville and the surrounding mountains.