Fort du Château, Fortress in Briançon, France
Fort du Château is a fortress built on a high rock above the town of Briançon, in the French Alps. It consists of thick stone walls, old barracks, guardhouses, underground casemates, and platforms built for cannons.
The fort traces its origins to a castle built by the Dauphin lords in the 14th century, with a large keep, four towers, and a chapel dedicated to Saint Stephen. In the 17th century it was partly rebuilt, and in the 19th century the whole structure was raised again from the ground up.
The large bronze statue at the top of the fort, known as "Grande France", was made by sculptor Antoine Bourdelle in the early 20th century. It shows a goddess holding a lance, a shield, and a serpent, and can be seen from a distance.
The walk up to the fort involves uneven ground and stone steps, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. The site is exposed and sits at around 1,400 m (4,600 ft), so bringing water and weather-appropriate clothing is advisable.
The engineer Vauban visited the fort in the late 17th century and found it so run-down that he recommended tearing down large parts of it and keeping only what was worth repairing. What visitors walk through today was built in the 19th century and replaced the very structure Vauban had once criticized.
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