Ouvrage Thonnelle

Ouvrage Thonnelle is a military fortification with four combat blocks positioned along a ridge, each equipped with machine gun stations and observation posts. Underground tunnels connect the blocks and once contained barracks, storage areas, and command centers.

Construction began in 1935 as part of the Maginot Line to defend France against potential invasions. The fort was actively used during World War II and later abandoned as military needs changed.

The garrison produced a weekly newspaper called L'écho des blocs, managed by a medical staff member, which captured daily life inside the fort. This publication helped soldiers stay connected despite their isolation in the underground sections.

Access to this fortification requires planning since it sits in a rural setting and is partly built into the ground. Sturdy footwear is recommended and checking local conditions before visiting helps ensure a safe experience.

Bat colonies now inhabit the underground sections, using the abandoned structure as shelter. This natural reoccupation shows how nature has reclaimed the forsaken facility.