Blockhaus des Têtes

The place

Disused military structure, built in 1883. Architecture strictly identical to that of the [->10816]. More information on these two forts. It was open in 2007 (an information panel explained its military history before it was restored and offered to hikers). The blockhouse was later walled up and fenced off because numerous cracks were weakening it, so it was closed to the public. From 2024 it is open again. No more cracks in the walls, it looks solid as rock again. Only the ground floor is accessible; there are 3 locked doors, one of which presumably leads upstairs. The fort door closes with an interior bolt. Inside, a large room, two empty alcoves, double squat toilets that seem functional (judging from the sign on the door and the presence of toilet paper rolls), a worn-out broom head, a large table for about 8-10 people (if you squeeze in) but only one bench and two chairs. Plenty of room everywhere, rock solid, but nothing to heat it, no equipment, no water, and the feeling of being in a prison. No more stove, no more sleeping platforms as present in 2007; the walls have been freshened up and are starting to get graffiti (no tags for now). A few notices about activities run by local associations suggest the place is used by groups on hikes/snowshoe outings/etc. It's really just a stopgap in case of necessity, or it can serve as a picnic spot in bad winter weather. Via forest roads, from Venthon or Albertville, via the Col des Cyclotouristes; or from above, via the Tour du Beaufortain trail or descending from the Roche Pourrie IGN map 1:25000 - 3432 ET State-owned