Fort d'Uxegney

About the museum

Fort d’Uxegney was built in just two years, between 1882 and 1884, on a hill 379 metres above the Avière valley. It formed part of the Épinal fortified town and was meant to control the road from Épinal to Mirecourt, the railway line from Épinal to Nancy and the Canal de l’Est. Pentagonal in plan and surrounded by a ditch, it included barracks, storerooms and sandstone shelters, first built above ground and later covered with earth.

A first concrete reinforcement dates from 1893. From 1910 onwards the fort was extensively remodelled: it received four retractable turrets, two Bourges casemates, three armoured observation posts, armoured alarm bells, a reinforced concrete gallery linking the defence works and a small power station. It remains one of the very few Séré de Rivières forts modernised before 1914 that survive intact.

The association ARFUPE, founded in 1989, restores the fort with volunteers and opens it to the public. In the underground areas, visitors see the power station, the kitchens, the dormitories and restored artillery pieces, as well as the only Galopin 155 mm retractable turret still in working order. Since 2022, the Train des Forts has linked Uxegney with the Fort de Bois-l’Abbé. Both forts have been on the supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 2002.

Highlights

• 155 mm Galopin retractable turret from 1907, the only one still in working order
• Underground areas with power station, kitchens and dormitories
• Séré de Rivières fort modernised before 1914 and left intact
• Train des Forts, a 45-minute ride behind a steam locomotive

Operated by

Association ARFUPE

Admission & discounts

The prices listed are for the guided visit of the fort. Payment on site by bank card, cash or cheque; no booking possible. The fort ticket does not include the train journey. The combined ticket is recommended from 14:15 to leave enough time for both activities.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visit is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, and the train is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

Children aged 7 to 14 pay the reduced rate, and children up to 6 are admitted free; unaccompanied children are not admitted to the fort or on the train. The fort hosts events such as the apple festival (fête de la pomme) and Halloween.

Getting there & parking

Meet at Fort d’Uxegney, rue des Forts, 88390 Uxegney.

Amenities & dining

Refreshment stand and light snacks at some events, in support of the association.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit