Les Forts de l'Esseillon

The festive atmosphere of a mountain border town at the time of the attachment of Savoy to France and the drilling of the first railway tunnel, the sound of mechanical pianos.Savoy became French in 1860, and at the end of the tunnel between France and Italy, pierced in 1871, Modane becomes a new French frontier town, as well as an international station of prime importance. Forests are built and garrisons are set up to monitor the border. Customs and railwaymen, French and Italian work and live in Modane. The city resonates French and Italian voices, melodies of basemouth pianos crank, whistles of steam trains, Parisian singers who come to perform in local cabarets ... A visit to the cross-border meeting through videos, audio testimonies, photos, music, dances ... An original museum that tells a moving past in a setting with shimmering colors. Written translations of the visit in: English, German, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and Polish.

Discover Fort Victor-Emmanuel in Aussois, Savoie. A cultural visit, a hike, a symbol of history in Haute Maurienne Vanoise.Lose yourself in the maze of this immense fort, built to house a garrison of 1,500 men. The superposition of these eight buildings, hugging the rock, makes this an exceptional site. Wander freely through the fort to discover the parade ground, chapel, bread ovens and penitentiary. A number of via ferrata routes are available from the fort, the most original of which is to start at the fire hydrants and admire the vertiginous Devil's Gorge. The Esseillon barrier was built in the early 19th century to guard against French invasion. The five Sardinian forts that make up the barrier are named after the sovereigns of the Savoy family. Built according to Montalembert's architectural principles, they are unique in France.

Bus stop N°412: "Redoute Marie-Thérèse" for access to the redoubt, the Esseillon forts and several hiking trails, including the Chemin du Petit Bonheur.