Montgenèvre: 521 H
Grenoble - Briançon by the RN 91 Nice - Montgenèvre by Italy motorway Marseilles - Briançon by the RN 94 (motorway until Tallard)
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Montgenèvre, thanks to its past has a rich person inheritance of forts. In 2004, the first visits of these fabulous buildings took place and gained a great success, not less than 200 people were present at each visit. This is why, in order to make known these historical richnesses, Montgenèvre decided to renew these operations and will propose 5 visits during the summer, two per month and one at the time of the Days of the Inheritance, September the 17, and 18 2005.
Géodrome
Located at the entry of the village, at the foot of the telpher carrier of Chalmettes, this géodrome presents all the varieties of rocks present on the commune of Montgenèvre. Moreover, this installation is decorated explanatory panels so that each one can include/understand the phenomena related to the rocks THE CHENAILLET "afossil underwater volcano"
Here is a name which resounds in the head of all impassioned geology.
Single in the world, this solid mass is a true alpine ocean culminating with 2500 meters, old man of 150 million years.
Chenaillet is characterized by its two types of rocks, magmatic and sedimentary, that one usually observes at the time of deep-sea diving to less 2000 meters.
This solid mass, makes the object of many excursions and studies on behalf of international geologists.
Moreover, the richness of these rocks, is the ground of a great floristic diversity, not less than 327 species and under species are present.
One can in particular observe:
- in the alpine lawn, near to the collar of Gondrans; the panicled fescue, arnica of the mountains (protected), the ancolie of the Alps (protected)…
- in the wetlands, close to the lake to Fits; chive, the sphaigne, gentian of Rostan…
- the moors contain a more traditional flora, such as blue bilberry, the bilberry (protected) and the punctuated gentian.
- the rocks are the ground of the yellow génépi, the primula with broad sheets (protected). SOURCES OF THE DURANCE
It is in Montgenèvre, with more than 2000 m of altitude, between the Solid mass of Chenaillet and that of Janus, that the first water at the origin of the Durance concentrates, river classified among most significant of France.
Marked out paths make it possible to discover these natural treasures. Moreover, the solid mass of Chenaillet is the subject of a visit day labourer accompanied by guide geologist, every Wednesday of July 16 at August 31, cost 20? by anybody.
Departure 9 H, return 17 h. From Montgenèvre to the hut of the Customs officers then edge until the top. Return by the Green Collet
A village dominated by the fortification
Of share its geographical position, at the Italian border, Montgenèvre was the witness of the last conflicts.
Thus, to defend and observe various fortifications were built on the field of Montgenèvre.
Most remarkable of them without any doubt the FORT OF the CHABERTON, also named is the fort of the Clouds. Culminating with 3135 meters of altitude, with a French slope and an Italian slope, it is most of all.
Built between 1900 and 1914, the top had to be undermined to level it and thus lower its 6 meters height. One should not not less than 300 civil workmen and the minor sappers to build this technical and human prowess, made up of 8 turrets. Those form the visible part of the building, whose whole is mainly underground. But on June 10 of 1940 Mussolini declares the war in France, and on June 21, French, located in the forts at the neighbourhoods Chaberton and its 320 men bombard. One will need only 57 shells to muzzle the fort of the clouds. In 1957, the fort is disarmed and makes now the goal of ballade, where one can observe some vestiges.
The FORT OF the GONDRANS, built as from the XIXème century is a whole of batteries and blockhouses, dedicated to defend the heights of Briançon since the Collar of the Angels.
The FORT OF the JANUS, built between 1886 and 1903, on the top of the same name. A 900 meters long underground work which prolongs the Maginot line, was added between 1931 and 1937. Museum in preparation as well as restorations. Currently, all these fortifications are a goal very justifying for a ballade day labourer.
