Fort de Pré-Giroud, Military fortress and museum in Vallorbe, Switzerland.
Fort de Pré-Giroud is a military fortress in Vallorbe made up of six concrete casemates containing machine guns, cannons, and ammunition storage. The complex also includes sleeping quarters, dining halls, and underground command centers arranged throughout the fortification.
The fortress was built between 1937 and 1941 to defend against potential French invasions through the Jougne pass. It served as a key defensive position for Switzerland along this border route during World War II.
Today the site functions as a memory institution, showing exhibitions about how Swiss soldiers lived and worked during World War II. Visitors learn through personal accounts and documents what daily life was like inside this underground complex.
Visitors can explore the fortress on guided tours that lead through preserved military equipment and installations. The paths are narrow and underground, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a light layer to stay comfortable.
The entrance disguises itself as a traditional Swiss chalet, a common military architectural practice during the 1940s. This disguise helped keep the fortress invisible from above and from a distance.
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