Tourism on the Maginot Line

 

In spite of the late awareness by authorities about fabulous historic inheritance that are eastern fortifications, in spite of their progressive desolation by the French army, some associations yet persevered and succeeded in restoring many forts.

 

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Infantry Fortress of Fressinea

Department : Alpes-Maritimes

Ouverture : D'avril à octobre de 14 h à 17 h.

Mairie de Saint Sauveur sur Tinée

TEL : 04 93 02 00 22

http://www.frassinea.asso.fr

 

Infantry Fortress of La Salmagne

Department : Nord

This infantry fortress was completely dismantled by the German army during the occupation. Neglected during 50 years the few remaining equipments were plundered during this period. This fort is now protected by the Amifort Maubeuge association which regularly opens it to visits.

182, rue Faidherbe
59460 Jeumont

TEL : 03 27 67 18 97 (Marcel Caty)

http://amifort.maubeuge.free.fr
marcel.caty@free.fr

 

Infantry Fortress of Rohrbach

Department : Moselle

Foreseen initially like an artillery fort endowed with 8 combat blocks (5 artillery blocks and 3 infantry blocks), of the budgetary restriction fact, the fort only includes 3 infantery blocks constructed in 1935. The crew of 166 men made part of the 166th RIF.
To counter the sudden German attack, on June 15 the fort makes shootings to support fortifications situated on the west of the position (the Welschhof, and stand-alone blockhouses).
The enemy comes closer and June 22 attacks the III block directly. The Germans make direct shots to the machine gun and the cannon opening, but the artillery of the Simserhof disperses attackers.
Germans renew their attack the 24, but, they must beat again in retirement when the Simserhof opens fire. The fort's crew doesn't quit the fight that to the armistice.
Admirably restored by the association Fort Casso, the visit of this place is very interesting because guides have very good knowledge concerning fortification. All is explained (working of insiders  hand grenade launchers, height of kitchen sinks! ...)
Arming : 2 cannons of 47 mm, 3 cannons of 25 mm, machine guns and light machine guns of 7,5 mm.

57410 Rohrbach-lès-Bitche

TEL : 03 87 02 70 41 (répondeur)

Accès : Par l'autoroute A4, prendre la sortie Sarreguemines, puis direction Bitche. Suivre le fléchage "Fort Casso" dès l'entrée de Rohrbach-lès-Bitche.

http://casso.shorturl.com/

 

Infantry Fortress of Villy-la-Ferte

Department : Ardennes

This work is one of the rare Maginot Line forts taken by assault by the German army in May 1940.
All the crew of this work dies by asphyxia during the fights.

Ouverture : Ouvert les dimanches et jours fériés de juin à fin octobre et tous les jours sauf le lundi en juillet et août.

08370 La Ferté

TEL : 03 24 22 14 55 (M Noël)

 

Infantry Fortress of Bois du Four

Department : Meurthe-et-Moselle

This fort unlike the other infantry fortresses is composed of a single monolithic concrete structure. Built between 1931 and 1932 the armament included an eclipse turret equipped with a twinning machine guns Reibel, three "Lookout Rifle Machine Gun" (in French GFM) cupolas, five crenellations equipped with twinnings Reibel which three of them could replaced by an 47 mm antitank gun, six crenellations FM and two 81 mm mortars.
A stair of 30 m deep ends on a beginning of communication gallery which had to join the 5 other blocks which were never built because of a lack of budget.
This fort was bought in 1992 the town of Villers-la-Montagne and is restored by the Association of Conservation of Villers's patrimony.

Ouverture : Le premier dimanche des mois de mai, juin, juillet, août et septembre de 14 h à 17 h.
Visites uniquement sur rendez-vous (téléphone ou mél).

Association de préservation du patrimoine de Villers-la-Montagne
122 bis, rue Emile Curicque
54920 Villers-la-Montagne

TEL : 03 82 26 12 10

Accès : L'ouvrage est situé près de la RN 52 à 9 km de Longwy et à 1,5 km de Villers-la-Montagne.
Sortie échangeur Morfontaine-Tiercelet ZI. Direction Morfontaine par la RD 125. Continuer sur 500 mètres et prendre le chemin de droite au bout duquel se trouve l'ouvrage.

http://asso.patrimoine.free.fr/maginot.html
contact@maginot-a5.org

 

Infantry Fortress of Bois Karre

Department : Moselle

This small infantry fortress is constituted with only one concrete block. Very well preserved, this work kept a big part of its equipment. Its restoration is in progress.

Association A12 - Conservation de l'Ouvrage du Bois Karre et Histoire des Fortifications de la Ligne Maginot
M Jean-Louis Goby
2, place Marie-Louise

57100 Thionville

TEL : 03 82 34 41 94

 

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The Maginot Line on the web.
A few photos about the Maginot Line frescos

 

 


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