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Origin and history

The fort of the Restefond, also known as the barracks of the Restefond, is a military facility built at 2,558 meters above sea level, near the false pass of Restefond, on the commune of Jausiers (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence). Prior to the Maginot Line, it was used as a logistical support during the June 1940 fighting in the Alps, particularly during the Battle of the Alps. Its role was crucial for troops stationed in this mountainous and strategic area.

Construction of the fort began in 1901 under the impetus of military engineering, with the help of foot fighters and the 4th Engineer Regiment. It was completed in 1906 and consists of four buildings: three U barracks for three companies, equipped with shooting slots and bastionnets, and a square guard near the entrance. A bread oven and shops complemented the facilities. This defensive fort reflected the military concerns of the time, focused on the protection of alpine passes.

Between 1912 and 1913, the site expanded with the addition of an officer's lodge (destroyed in 2003), a kitchen, an infirmary and four stables. Some stables, redeveloped, were reused until recently by the army. From 1931, with the construction of Maginot structures in the area, the fort became a nerve centre: a six-kilometre cable car was installed to transport equipment and troops, and wooden barracks were erected in the vicinity, such as the Black Cabana post.

During the Second World War, in June 1940, the fort served as a command post for Lieutenant-Colonel Soyer, responsible for the Jausiers subsector. It also provided shelter for the military labour in charge of building the nearby fortifications. After the war, the site was gradually abandoned, with the exception of the stables used by the Mountain Combat Training Centre (CIECM) until its dissolution in 2009. Today, most abandoned buildings are deteriorating, while remnants of military equipment (GFM boxes, platforms) remain on site.

The surrounding works, such as that of the Col de Restefond, which had not been completed in 1940, certain elements (mortar hoppers, bells) were still visible. These physical traces testify to the strategic importance of the site, both as barracks and as a back base during the 20th century conflicts. The present state of the fort, although precarious, makes it an emblematic vestige of Alpine military history.

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