Fort de la Croix-de-Bretagne
Encyclopedia
The Fort de la Croix-de-Bretagne is a fortification in the vicinity of Briançon
in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France
. It was built as part of the Séré de Rivières system
of fortifications in 1876-79 to defend France
against invasion from Italy
, at a cost of 1,416,642 francs. It overlooks the valley of the Durance
from an altitude of 2016 metres (6,614.2 ft) and monitors the Cervière road to Italy. The position was used by the French Army in the defense of Briançon until 1940, when it was part of the Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné
.
The position overlooks the earlier Fort des Têtes
and, in conjunction with the Grande Maye, was planned to bar an advance from Italy over the Col du Montgenèvre in the vicinity of the Gondrans
. The garrison comprised 496 men, serving seven 155mm guns, five 138mm guns and four mortars. Croix-de-Bretagne and the Fort de l'Infernet
provided each other mutual support. Built in stone, it was never modernized to deal with explosive projectiles.
Briançon
Briançon a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department....
in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. It was built as part of the Séré de Rivières system
Séré de Rivières system
The Séré de Rivières system was an ensemble of fortifications built from 1874 and first used at the beginning of the First World War along the frontiers and coasts of France...
of fortifications in 1876-79 to defend France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
against invasion from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, at a cost of 1,416,642 francs. It overlooks the valley of the Durance
Durance
The Durance is a major river in south-eastern France.Its source is in the south-western Alps, in Montgenèvre ski resort near Briançon and it flows south-west through the following départements and cities:* Hautes-Alpes: Briançon, Embrun.* Alpes-de-Haute-Provence: Sisteron, Manosque.* Vaucluse:...
from an altitude of 2016 metres (6,614.2 ft) and monitors the Cervière road to Italy. The position was used by the French Army in the defense of Briançon until 1940, when it was part of the Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné
Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné
The Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné was the French military organization that in 1940 controlled the section of the Alpine Line portion of the Maginot Line facing Italy in the vicinity of Briançon...
.
The position overlooks the earlier Fort des Têtes
Fort des Têtes
The Fort des Têtes, also known as the Fort des Trois-Têtes, is a fortification in the vicinity of Briançon in the Dauphiné region of southeastern France. It was first surveyed by Vauban in 1700. In 1709 the Marshal Berwick established a fortified camp on the plateau, overlooking the valley of the...
and, in conjunction with the Grande Maye, was planned to bar an advance from Italy over the Col du Montgenèvre in the vicinity of the Gondrans
Ouvrage Gondran
Ouvrage Granon is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block and one observation block. Gondran was commenced in June 1933, and was intended to cover the gap between Janus and Les Aittes. The site is close to...
. The garrison comprised 496 men, serving seven 155mm guns, five 138mm guns and four mortars. Croix-de-Bretagne and the Fort de l'Infernet
Fort de l'Infernet
The Fort de l'Infernet is a fortification complex near Briançon in the French Alps. It was built as part of the Séré de Rivières system of fortifications in 1876-78 to defend France against invasion from Italy. It specifically overlooks the valley of the Durance behind and the Fort du Gondran,...
provided each other mutual support. Built in stone, it was never modernized to deal with explosive projectiles.
External links
- Fort de la Croix-de-Bretagne at Chemins de mèmoire
- Fort de la Croix de Bretagne at Fortiff' Séré