Photo : Thomas Bresson / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Fort de Giromagny
Fort Dorsner, or the fort of Giromagny, in the Territoire de Belfort, was built from 1875 to 1879 as part of the defensive system designed by General Séré de Rivières after the defeat of 1871. Built of pink sandstone, it overlooks the Belfort Gap and marks the southern end of the Haute-Moselle defensive line, between the entrenched camps of Belfort and Épinal. It was designed for about 650 men.
The fort is notable for its two armoured turrets, among the first built in France. On 18 June 1940 they fired on German troops before the garrison surrendered.
Run by a volunteer association, the fort offers self-guided visits during the European Heritage Days, with access to the top and a view over the Belfort Gap, as well as night tours by oil lamp, on booking. It is listed as a historic monument.
