The Ruined Fort of La Redoute
A monument with 400 years of history – perched at 2,400 m, the Fort de La Redoute Ruinée overlooks the Col de La Traversette, offering both a walk through history and breathtaking views.
A strategic Alpine fortress
Built in 1892, shortly after Savoie was annexed to France, the fort was designed to defend against potential Italian incursions. Its name, “Redoute Ruinée”, pays tribute to an earlier fortification – the Fort Traverset, constructed in 1630 by the House of Savoy and later destroyed during the French Revolution.
Training ground for the Chasseurs Alpins
In the 20th century, the site became a training camp for the elite mountain troops, the Chasseurs Alpins. Skiing, supply runs, snow clearance, and surveillance missions: soldiers prepared here to survive in extreme conditions. A military ski school was even founded on site in the early 1900s.
Battles of the Second World War
The fort saw fierce fighting: seized by Italian troops in 1940, retaken by the Germans in 1943, and heavily damaged by French artillery in 1944–45. Its tumultuous past is the reason why entry to the interior is no longer permitted.
Access and panoramic views
- Summer: accessible via the Roches Noires chairlift followed by an easy 40-minute walk.
- Winter: reachable on skis or snowshoes via the Fort chairlift.
This natural viewpoint offers a 360° panorama over the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass, the surrounding peaks, and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. An orientation table and picnic areas make it a perfect spot where history meets contemplation.
- Summer: accessible via the Roches Noires chairlift followed by an easy 40-minute walk.
- Winter: reachable on skis or snowshoes via the Fort chairlift.
This natural viewpoint offers a 360° panorama over the Petit Saint-Bernard Pass, the surrounding peaks, and the Italian side of Mont Blanc. An orientation table and picnic areas make it a perfect spot where history meets contemplation.
