Toblerone Line, Military fortification line in Vaud, Switzerland
The Toblerone Line is a military defense system in the Vaud region stretching between Bassins and Prangins over several kilometers. It consists of thousands of concrete triangular barrier elements connected with integrated fortresses that formed a continuous defensive network.
This defensive line was built between 1937 and 1939 and became an important part of Switzerland's military infrastructure. It was created as a response to the growing political tensions in Europe before World War II to deter potential invasions.
The triangular concrete blocks got their name from their resemblance to the Swiss chocolate brand Toblerone. Walking through the area, visitors immediately understand why locals chose this playful reference to describe the defensive line.
The Villa Rose fortress museum in Gland presents the best overview through exhibits about the defensive structures and their strategic role. The walking paths along the line itself are open to the public and offer direct views of the preserved concrete blocks in their landscape setting.
Each concrete block weighs around 9 tons and follows the course of the Promenthouse and Serine rivers, which integrated the system perfectly into the landscape. This geographic placement was deliberate, designed to use natural waterway barriers as part of the overall defense strategy.
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