Fort de Pelousette

The place

Former infantry fort at 2757 m, the highest Séré de Rivières fort in France, located on the Ubaye-Tinée boundary in the Mercantour National Park (Alpes-Maritimes). Built between 1892 and 1902 as a fortified barracks able to house around a hundred men, later incorporated into the Alpine Maginot Line. The largest, highest and best preserved fort in the area. Single-storey monolithic structure, classic Séré de Rivières layout with a central bastion, roof terrace accessible from inside and a central corridor serving several rooms — the whole remarkably well preserved despite being abandoned since 1944 and the altitude. Comfortable bivouacking possible, but no dishes or furniture. Panoramic view from the Écrins to the Mediterranean.