Mémorial national des troupes de montagne

The National Memorial of Mountain Troops sits on Mont Jalla at about 635 meters elevation, combining steel plates that display military campaigns with a central wall of remembrance. The design merges metal structures into the natural cliff face of the mountain.

The memorial was established in 2000 and honors roughly 150,000 mountain troops who served France since the mountain corps was formed in 1888. This long tradition makes the mountain units among the oldest and most continuous special forces of the nation.

The memorial bears the name of mountain troops and displays steel plates at its entrance showing 'peace-friendship' in multiple languages. These inscriptions reflect the shared heritage and international bonds between mountain military units from different nations.

Visitors can reach the memorial through different trails, including routes from La Bastille or Col de Vence, with guided tours available throughout the year. Guided visits help you better understand the history and layout of the site.

A granite block from a lighthouse destroyed in 1944 sits at the cliff base, commemorating those who fought for liberation during World War II. This unusual stone connects two different military operations in a single physical object.

Location: Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux

Elevation above the sea: 635 m

GPS coordinates: 45.20393,5.72425

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02