Fort de Vanves

Fort de Vanves is a military fortification built on elevated terrain southwest of Paris as one of several defensive structures circling the city. Its thick stone walls and geometric design are characteristic of 19th-century military engineering.

The fort was constructed between 1841 and 1845 as Paris reinforced its outer defenses. It endured a lengthy Prussian siege in 1870, though the city's eventual surrender led to its evacuation.

The fort takes its name from the nearby village of Vanves that existed in this area before the city expanded. It remains a reminder of how Paris built layers of military protection that influenced the shape of its suburbs.

The fort is an active military installation under Ministry of Defense control, which restricts general public access to the site. Those interested in visiting should contact local authorities in advance to learn about any open days or organized tours.

From the 1930s to the 1970s, the fort served as a pharmaceutical laboratory producing medical equipment for distribution across France. This industrial use transformed the former military stronghold into an unexpected center of scientific production during peacetime.