Fort de Lenlon, Military fort in Névache, France
Fort de Lenlon is an infantry fortification in the French Alps standing at 2,500 meters elevation with a semi-circular stone structure and 48 rifle slots built into its masonry walls. The building contained two levels designed to hold roughly 40 soldiers each, with separate areas for officer quarters, kitchens, and water storage.
The fort was built between 1890 and 1893 and formed part of the Dauphiné fortified sector within the southeastern Maginot Line. It was constructed during a period when France modernized its mountain defenses to ward off potential threats from the Italian border.
The fort is called 'Alpine Boyard' by locals and visitors, a name tied to its striking position and design that shows French military engineering of the 1800s. The stone walls with shooting openings demonstrate how military planners of that era used mountain peaks for defense.
Access is via a hiking trail that starts from the Plampinet parking area and ascends through mountain terrain with about 1,100 meters of elevation gain. The journey takes several hours on steep paths, so good footwear and physical fitness are essential.
The fort was built at extreme altitude where water from natural sources and melted snow was scarce, yet planners integrated a sophisticated water storage system within the walls. This system shows how engineers had to create solutions for harsh mountain conditions.
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