Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Mountain Troop Museum is a space dedicated to the history of alpine hunters, nicknamed the Blue Devils since World War I. Created in 1988 to mark the centenary of the Alpine troops, it was first installed in the governor's hotel in Grenoble, before closing in 2002 for security reasons. Its reopening in 2009 at the Fort de la Bastille, after restoration work, brought this emblematic place to life 70 years after the departure of the army from the site.

The museum extends over 600 m2 and presents, through weapons, uniforms, maps and testimonies, the key moments of these soldiers specialized in mountain combat. Reconstituted scenes illustrate their daily lives during the two world wars. Multilingual audioguide and temporary exhibitions, such as those dedicated to Afghanistan or mountain artillery, enrich the visit. The museum also plays a symbolic role: it welcomes new hires during their integration ritual and publishes a quarterly magazine, Les Cahiers des troupes de montagne, to spread their history.

Inaugurated on 1 October 2009 in the presence of General Elrick Irastorza, the museum quickly enjoyed a popular success, reaching 59,383 visitors in 2010 thanks to its free offer. It closes every January for the maintenance of the Bastille cable car. The site maintains a strong link with the national memorial of the mountain troops, located 150 meters above Mount Jalla, highlighting the historic anchoring of Grenoble and its Bastille with these elite units. Defense Minister Jean-Yves The Drian visited in 2012, marking its national importance.

Beyond its heritage vocation, the museum is a meeting place between civilians and military personnel. It recalls the engagement of mountain troops outside France, from conflicts that have passed to recent operations, while highlighting their historical relationship with the Alpine populations. Temporary exhibitions, such as Le mule conquerant des montagnes (2022-2024) or 1944-1945: the 27th Alpine Division (2025), illustrate this thematic diversity.

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