Batterie de la Freta, Military fortification on Mont Cindre, France
Batterie de la Freta is a military fortification on Mont Cindre with five gun platforms positioned at 415 meters elevation. It consists of four intact casemates and formed part of Lyon's second defensive ring alongside Mont Verdun Fort.
The installation was built in 1878 under General Séré de Rivières as part of a strategic modernization of Lyon's defenses. Its location and construction followed military concepts designed to protect major French cities from invasion.
The battery shows features of 19th century French military construction, with its casemates and gun platforms reflecting the engineering practices of that era. Visitors can still see the stone structures and how the defensive positions were laid out.
The site sits on private property and is surrounded by dense vegetation, which can make access challenging. Visitors should respect the property boundaries and observe the military boundary markers on the grounds.
The battery communicated with Mont Verdun Fort through optical signals, forming part of an interconnected defense network. These communication systems allowed coordinated defense across the landscape.
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