Fort du Randouillet, Fort in Briançon, France

Fort du Randouillet stands at 1,604 m on the hill of the same name above Briançon, an irregular pentagon with five corner bastions. Its two level platforms hold a citadel on the upper one, with a central main battery rebuilt in 1833 on François-Nicolas-Benoît Haxo's casemate system, and three barracks blocks plus a guardhouse below. Snow covers the pale stone walls and shallow roofs in winter.

The fortress was built between 1724 and 1734 following military engineer Vauban's defensive strategy. It was designed to protect the Fort des Têtes from attacks coming from higher elevations.

The name comes from the Gavot word randouilles, the swallows that nested in the rock crevices of the hill and later under the fort's roofs. The fort is one of the Vauban fortifications of Briançon listed by UNESCO in 2008, and the heritage service offers guided tours.

The site sits high in the mountains above town, so wear sturdy shoes and be ready for changing weather conditions. Paths are steep and rough in places, so expect uneven ground throughout your visit.

The fort's name comes from the Gavot word "randouilles" for the swallows that nested in the rock crevices of the hill and later under its roofs. A military aerial tramway once linked the fort to Briançon, and another line continued to the Fort de l'Infernet.