Fort d'artillerie de Champex-Lac

About the museum

The fort lies at an altitude of around 1,450 metres on the southern slope of the Catogne above Champex-Lac and is barely recognisable from the outside. It was built between 1940 and 1943 as the backbone of the fortifications in the Great St Bernard area and was intended to support the infantry along the pass road with artillery fire. The complex was classified as secret until 1999.

Inside, more than 600 metres of tunnels run through the mountain. The fort was a small underground settlement for up to 300 men and could be self-sufficient in an emergency. It had two batteries with 10.5 and 7.5 centimetre guns, together with fire control posts and ammunition stores, observation posts, a telephone exchange, quarters with a kitchen and dining hall, machine rooms and a water reservoir fed by an underground spring. Further infantry works down in the valley protected the entrance.

During the Cold War the fort was constantly modernised and prepared for a possible nuclear war. The Swiss Army used it until 1998. Since June 1999 it has been open for guided tours and belongs to the association Pro-Forteresse, which also looks after other fortifications in the Valais. The tours show, among other things, the machine room, decontamination lock, ammunition stores, operating theatre with infirmary, crew quarters and the gun turret.

Highlights

• Over 600 metres of tunnels in the mountain, secret until 1999
• Two artillery batteries with 10.5 and 7.5 cm guns
• Machine room, decontamination lock and infirmary
• Quarters, kitchen and dining hall for up to 300 men
• Adaptations for nuclear war during the Cold War

Permanent exhibition

• Geführter Rundgang durch das Artilleriewerk – The tour shows the machine room, the decontamination lock, ammunition stores, operating theatre and infirmary, crew quarters and the gun turret.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Association Pro-Forteresse

Admission & discounts

Adults aged 13 and over CHF 15. Included in the PASS Saint-Bernard. Payment on site by debit/credit card, Twint or cash.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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 tour is accessible to people with reduced mobility; details on request from the association. The tourist office describes the site as partly wheelchair-accessible with a disabled parking space and offers for the visually impaired. Dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

Children aged 6 to 12 pay CHF 12; admission is free for children under 6.

Getting there & parking

The fort is located at the Place des Forts in Champex-Lac; satnav address according to the association: Chemin du Bisse 1, 1938 Orsières.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The fort can be hired for private events, company dinners, meetings and weddings, also with overnight stay; enquiries by email.

Plan your visit