Fort de la Malmaison

Fort de la Malmaison is a rectangular stone fortification near Chavignon with walls extending approximately 270 meters in length and 240 meters in width. The structure features deep dry moats that are protected by two caponnières, which are underground defensive structures designed to provide flanking fire.

The fort was built between 1878 and 1882 as part of the Séré de Rivières defense system, designed to protect routes between Soissons and Laon toward Paris. Its construction reflected France's effort to reinforce its eastern borders following the Franco-Prussian War.

The fort bears the name of General Thomas Alexandre Dumas, a distinguished French military commander, reflecting the tradition of honoring war heroes through fortification names. Visitors can still notice traces of this tribute in inscriptions and the site's layout.

Visitors can access the site through guided tours organized by the affiliated Caverne du Dragon museum, which provides context about military history in the region. It is advisable to visit during dry weather, as parts of the grounds are unpaved and can become difficult to walk on when wet.

In 1886 the fort served as a testing ground for new explosive formulas, revealing serious flaws in French fortification engineering of that era. These discoveries prompted significant rethinking in French military architecture and design practices in the years that followed.