Ouvrage Le Lavoir, Military fortification in Modane, France
Ouvrage Le Lavoir is a military fortification in Modane featuring seven combat blocks scattered across 1,923 meters elevation in the northern Charmaix Valley. Underground galleries link these structures together, forming an interconnected system designed to control access through the Frejus Pass.
Construction of this Maginot Line fortification began in 1932 and was completed in 1939. The site saw armed confrontations with Italian troops in 1940.
The structure represents French military engineering with interconnected galleries, equipped with electric lighting systems and specialized ammunition storage areas.
The site has two separate entrances serving different functions: one for ammunition transport and another for personnel movement. Visitors should expect cool underground spaces with sturdy footwear recommended for navigating the interior.
The fortification was equipped with diesel generators and four water tanks that enabled weeks of independent operations without external supplies. These self-sufficiency systems reveal the planning for extended periods of isolation during wartime conditions.
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