Turra Fort

The only fort built by the French on the Mont Cenis plateau, it is ideally located, perched on its promontory. It will offer you a view of the Mont Cenis lake, the Italian mountains, Val Cenis Lanslebourg and the Haute Maurienne Vanoise.
A bit of history: with tensions rising between France and Italy at the end of the 19th century, the French decided to build the Turra fort to guard the Mont Cenis plateau (the border with Italy) and confront the Italian forts of Pattacreuse, Ronce and Malamot.
The Turra fort was built between 1893 and 1900. Eventually, tensions eased and the fort remained under civilian guard for a long time. It was not reinvested by the army until the mid-1920s, with the rise of Fascism in Italy. In June 1940, it was attacked by the Italian army. The French resisted and repelled the various attacks.
The French soldiers did not leave the Fort de la Turra with arms and baggage until 1 July, after the armistice. They rejoined the French lines after receiving the honours of their adversaries.
Mont Cenis was again the scene of violent fighting in 1944 and 1945.

The site no longer has its warlike vocation and now offers a superb hiking destination from the Col du Mont Cenis, with a breathtaking view.

Access: from the Col du Mont Cenis, take the path up through the mountain pastures to Petite Turra. Follow the path to the right as far as the Fort. Retrace your steps and descend along the old military track, then the forest track on the right. Follow the D1006 as far as the Col du Mont Cenis.