Fort de Côte-Lorette, Military fort in Saint-Genis-Laval, France

Fort de Côte-Lorette is a military structure built in Saint-Genis-Laval, located at 290 meters elevation with granite walls. The fort contains three artillery batteries distributed across eight firing platforms designed for defensive coverage.

The fort was constructed between 1874 and 1894 as part of Lyon's outer defensive system. It was strategically positioned to control important trade routes toward Saint-Étienne and Givors.

A memorial stands where the keeper's house once was, dedicated to the 120 men and women taken from Montluc prison and shot here on 20 August 1944; the Germans then set the building on fire. The victims included hostages as well as resistance members. The fort itself now serves as the municipal workshop of Saint-Genis-Laval.

The site features public gardens, walking trails, and viewpoints that offer vistas across the surrounding landscape. Visitors should be prepared for uneven terrain and plan their visit with the elevated location in mind.

The fortress housed a powder magazine designed to store up to 41 tons of explosives beneath its grounds. This underground storage reveals the scale of ammunition needs for 19th-century military operations.