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Origin and history

Fort du Mûrier, also known as Fort Randon, is a fortification built between 1875 and 1878 according to the Séré de Rivières system, as part of the Grenoble defensive belt. Located 420 metres above sea level in the commune of Gières, it had the task of controlling access to the Gresivaudan valley by crossing its fires with the fort of Bourcet. Designed to house 542 soldiers and 32 cannons, it was renamed in 1887 in tribute to Marshal Jacques Louis Randon, before returning to his original name in the same year.

During World War I, the fort served as a prison camp. It remained military property until 1978, when the commune of Gières became its owner. After a period of abandonment, restoration work was undertaken between 1993 and 2006, financed by the State, the region, the department of Isère and the commune. Since then, the fort has hosted cultural events and has been listed as historical monuments since 1994.

Architecturally, the fort adopts a V-shaped shape typical of the first Séré River fortifications. Built in shale, it includes caponholes, powder shops, a bread oven and adjacent batteries located nearby. Its initially fragile facades were reinforced by concrete during restorations. Two high batteries, today in the commune of Saint-Martin-d'Hères, completed its defensive device.

The Fort du Mûrier illustrates the evolution of the military strategies of the late 19th century, with a design designed to control the axes of invasion by crossfires. Its state of conservation and rehabilitation in a cultural place make it a rare testimony of this defensive heritage. Guided tours, organized during Heritage Days, allow you to discover its history and architecture.

The auxiliary batteries, located at 557 and 573 metres above sea level, were equipped with cannon platforms and shelter ties. Although located in the forest, they remain accessible and offer a view of the valley. Their present state, marked by some deterioration, recalls their complementary role in the defence of Grenoble.

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