Une échauguette de la place forte de Mont-Dauphin
Bertrand Bodin
Fortifications of Vauban

Mont-Dauphin

The archetypal mountain stronghold

In 1693, Vauban decided to build a stronghold from scratch to prevent attacks from Italy. This remarkable construction was set on a bleak plateau, at a height of 1050 metres, dominating the confluence of the Rivers Guil and Durance.

Mont-Dauphin, at that time considered as a modern garrison town, was planned to accommodate 2000 soldiers and as many civilians. Mont-Dauphin is an outstanding ensemble of buildings, still well-preserved today.

It is the archetype of the mountain stronghold with an arsenal, the two powder magazines, the barracks on the ramparts and the church which was never completed.

Inscribed Property
the stronghold of Mont-Dauphin
Outstanding Universal Value
creation of a stronghold of the first system in the mountain
Date of construction
between 1693 and 1700
Altitude
3444 ft
Department
Hautes-Alpes
Region
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
GPS coordinates
44.670766, 6.624809
  • La place forte de Mont-Dauphin
    The stronghold of Mont-Dauphin
    Bertrand Bodin
  • La place forte de Mont-Dauphin
    The stronghold of Mont-Dauphin
    Bertrand Bodin
  • La place forte de Mont-Dauphin
    The stronghold of Mont-Dauphin
    Bertrand Bodin
Journées europénnes du patrimoine 2023

Journées européennes du patrimoine

Les 16 & 17 septembre 2023, les douze fortifications de Vauban inscrites sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO vous proposent de nombreux événements. Découvrez-les vite !

Tourist information

Town of Mont-Dauphin
Phone number: +33 4 92 45 18 34
mairie.montdauphin@wanadoo.fr
www.montdauphin-vauban.fr

Centre des monuments nationaux
Phone number: +33 4 92 45 42 40
https://www.village-fortifie-montdauphin.fr/
resa-montdauphin@monuments-nationaux.fr

How to visit / Access

The fortifications and military buildings can only be visited with a guide.

The monument is closed every Monday, as well as on 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November and 25 December.

The fortified village is open all year round.