Fort Dauphin, Military fort in Briançon, France.

Fort Dauphin is a small square fort on a flat shelf at the foot of the north-east slope of the Infernet ridge, above the left bank of the Durance at 1440 m, 500 m from the Fort des Trois Têtes. The photograph shows a long, low complex of light grey and tan masonry: a rectangular building with a shallow dark grey roof joined to a similar structure on the right, small evenly spaced dark openings along the facade, and a lower stone-faced rampart sloping in front, with a lower wall running out to the left.

Construction took place between 1724 and 1734, with the fort named in honor of Louis, the fourth son of Louis XV and later father of Louis XVI. This building period coincided with France modernizing its mountain defenses.

The fort owes its name to Louis, Dauphin of France, born in 1729, son of Louis XV and father of Louis XVI. In 1793 it was renamed Fort Lutin. A powder magazine was added between 1874 and 1877, the only major change to the original structure.

The hilltop location demands solid fitness and proper footwear for the climb up. Access via the Montgenèvre road provides the natural route to reach this fort while offering views of the other mountain fortifications nearby.

In 1793 the fort was renamed Fort Lutin, and between 1874 and 1877 a powder magazine was added, the only major change to the structure. From 1858 rifled artillery made it obsolete, and it was relegated to the second line once the new detached forts were built.