Forte Varisello, Military fort at Mont-Cenis pass, France.
The pentagonal fort stretches across two floors with vaulted casemates and stands at 2,118 meters altitude overlooking Mont Cenis Lake and surrounding peaks.
Italian forces constructed Fort Variselle in 1877 to protect Val di Susa from French attacks, but it became French territory through the 1947 Paris Treaty.
The fort represents a strategic military architecture with two firing levels, 27 artillery positions, ammunition storage, bakery, infirmary, and soldiers' quarters.
Visitors can reach the fort through a 20-minute walk from Mont Cenis dam, following marked trails between May 15 and November 1, weather conditions permitting.
The fort contains underground barracks with specialized rooms for powder storage, projectiles, food supplies, and medical facilities integrated into the mountain terrain.
Location: Val-Cenis
Inception: 1877
Part of: France–Italy border
GPS coordinates: 45.22402,6.93932
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:46
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