Ouvrage La Ferté, Military fortification in Villy, France.

Ouvrage La Ferté is a petit ouvrage of the Maginot Line with two semi-buried reinforced concrete combat blocks linked by a 275-metre gallery about 24 metres below the surface. Block 1 served as infantry casemate and main entry, with a 7.5 mm automatic rifle embrasure, a JM/AC 47 embrasure and two GFM and two AM cloches on top. Block 2, the focus of the German assault, carried a retractable mixed-arm turret, an AM cloche and GFM cloches; its rusted armoured dome still sits on a circular base ringed by concrete.

Approved in 1934 and built from 1935 by the contractor Chanel of Antibes for 14.5 million francs, the ouvrage was a weak, exposed position of the Montmédy bridgehead. On the night of 18–19 May 1940 it was attacked from the west, a direction its guns did not cover, and shelled by more than 250 German cannon. Its whole garrison of 106 men under Lieutenant Bourguignon was killed.

The fort is preserved as a war memorial to its 106-man garrison, all of whom died on 19 May 1940. Lieutenant Maurice Bourguignon, who took command on 20 March 1940, is buried with his men; a monument stands at the site. Visitors can see the two cloches GFM and the AM cloches on the blocks.

Visitors can explore the underground rooms, communication systems, and soldiers' quarters on guided tours offered throughout the year. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended, and you should be prepared for narrow, damp spaces underground.

This fortress marks the northernmost point of the French defensive line and was among the first strongholds to face German attack. Its border location made it a symbol of French resistance during those early days of conflict.