UXEGNEY

UXEGNEY FORT

Route

Description

Visit the fort of Uxegney, an exceptional proof of the efficient defensive system of France in 1914. Contemporary with the forts of Verdun, but avoided by the ravages of battle, the fort is representative of the evolution of fortification in the 19th century, from masonry to concrete with artillery under turrets.

Built in 1884, the Uxegney fort was an important part of the Place d'Epinal. It served as a point of reference for the fortified system set up by General Séré de Rivières after the 1870 war. This structure, which has been restored by the volunteers of the ARFUPE association, is listed in the supplementary inventory of “Monuments historiques” due to its exceptional state of conservation. Built in masonry and then reinforced in concrete, it remains one of the very rare examples of forts modernised before 1914 that have remained intact. In the maze of underground galleries, you can discover a large number of restored elements (artillery turrets, cannons in situation, barracks, kitchen, electric factory, etc.), as well as the only working example of a Galopin eclipse turret for a 155mm cannon, a gigantic 250-ton mechanism. The Uxegney fort is connected to the Bois l'Abbé fort, located a little more than a kilometre to the east, by a section of the old military railway rebuilt by the association.

Payment by credit card possible.

Masks will be mandatory for visitors.

Sanitary conditions will be those in force on the day of the visit.