Fort De La Madeleine Rimplas Credit Cd06Fort De La Madeleine Rimplas Credit Cd06
©Fort De La Madeleine Rimplas Credit Cd06|CD06

The Route des Forts in the Alpes-Maritimes

25 exceptional sites to explore at the heart of an outstanding military heritage

From the peaks of the Mercantour to the shores of the Mediterranean, the Alpes-Maritimes is home to an exceptional military heritage that bears witness to five centuries of history.

Since 2021, the Département des Alpes-Maritimes has been engaged in a vast programme to enhance these architectural treasures, so that they can be better preserved, passed on and discovered. The Route des Forts now comprises 25 emblematic forts.

An open-air heritage

The Alpes-Maritimes boasts more than 160 fortifications, built between the XVIᵉ and XXᵉ centuries.
The département’s strategic position meant that it was for a long time a bulwark between kingdoms and empires, between France and Italy. Each fort tells a chapter in this eventful history, from religious defence to the Maginot Line, via the prowess of Vauban.

Discover these jewels of stone and memory, often nestled in magnificent natural settings. Whether you’re a walker, a family, a history buff or just curious, this route is an invitation to explore the Côte d’Azur in a whole new way.