Fort de Cindey
Former Second World War artillery fort near Saint-Maurice, visited with guided tours as a museum of the St-Maurice fortress.
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About the museum
Saint-Maurice lies at a narrow point in the Rhône valley, through which the shortest routes between Burgundy and Piedmont run. For that reason the place was fortified over the centuries: from 1476 with the castle, in 1831 with the Dufour fortifications, and from 1892 with the large forts Savatan, Dailly and Scex. Fort de Cindey, built from 1941 to 1946 during the Second World War, belongs to this fortress complex.
Together with the forts on the opposite bank of the Rhône, Cindey blocked the northern approaches to the Saint-Maurice basin and commanded the foreground with anti-tank obstacles on the Rhône canal and on the railway line. Between 1948 and 1952 the work was rearmed, with two guns of 10.5 centimetre calibre, four anti-tank guns and several fortress machine guns. A fortress company of around 170 men was stationed here; inside the mountain are dormitories, a kitchen, mess halls, command posts, an infirmary and a water tank.
The fort is connected to Fort du Scex, about one kilometre away, by a natural passage, the Grotte aux Fées, which was extended by an artificial tunnel. Scex supplied power and communications for Cindey. Cindey was decommissioned in 1995. Today it belongs to the Fondation Forteresse Historique de St-Maurice, whose guides lead groups and individual visitors through the complex.
Highlights
- Guided tour through a Second World War artillery fort with two 10.5 cm guns
- Anti-tank guns, fortress machine guns and casemates in original condition
- Living quarters, kitchen, command posts and infirmary of the garrison
- Access through the Grotte aux Fées and along an information trail with panels on the history of the fortress
- Connection to Fort du Scex through a tunnel about one kilometre long
- Operated by
- Fondation Forteresse Historique de St-Maurice
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 18 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 15Students, AHV (old-age pension), IV (disability insurance) and military personnel in uniform |
| Children & teens | CHF 9Children up to 16 years |
| Seniors | CHF 15AHV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 15IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 15 |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Group tours from 10 people by reservation only |
| Families | CHF 402 adults and at most 2 children up to 16 years |
Prices for guided visits according to the latest published tariff list (2025 season); for 2026 the foundation gives no separate prices. Pass'Agaune and AG Culturel are accepted (tickets for these only at the entrance on the day of the visit). Payment on site in cash or by TWINT; credit and debit cards are not accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- 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
Access is via a walk of about 15 minutes from the car park; there are dimly lit areas in the fort. Animals are not allowed in the forts.
Kids & families
| Family ticket | CHF 40 · 2 adults and at most 2 children up to 16 years |
|---|
Children under 12 must be accompanied by adults; family ticket for 2 adults and up to 2 children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Saint-Maurice (Bahnhof) · 30-min walk
From Saint-Maurice station about 30 minutes on foot to the entrance of the forts (Grotte aux Fées); tourist office at the station.
By car
Paid parking · 15-min walk to the entrance
Paid car park; from there a path with information panels leads to the entrance of the forts in about 15 minutes.
The path leads past the Château de Saint-Maurice to the entrance to the forts and the Grotte aux Fées.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
Restaurant at the Grotte aux Fées at the entrance to the forts.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits only with a guide. The meeting point was most recently at the Grotte aux Fées from 1:45 p.m. Bring sturdy shoes, a torch or mobile phone and warm clothing, as it is only about 10 °C permanently in the fort and the cave; smoking is prohibited. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. A pedagogical dossier is available for school classes. |
