Day 2: The Maginot line

Saint-Ours Haut structure

At the end of the 19th century, a new type of steel shell was developed capable of destroying all stone forts. The fortifications must become underground, curved and thick shapes of reinforced concrete or steel! Reinforced concrete slabs became the standard from 1897.

The forts of the Maginot line, including the Saint-Ours structure built at the end of 1938, are thus concrete forts buried up to 40 m deep. Only the elements of defense and observation emerge. The turrets can go up to fire and go down again to shelter the guns. Inside, life is akin to that in submarines: no contact with the outside, except for observation and firing posts.

Vigilance : Reservation required / Rough roads not recommended for cars that are too low.

Find out more : Try the survey at Fort of Saint-Ours