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Origin and history

Fort des Têtes, also known as Fort des Trois Têtes, is a military fortification built at an altitude of 1,440 metres on the plateau des Têtes, overlooking the town of Briançon in the Hautes-Alpes. Originally conceived by Vauban in his 1700 project, its construction began in 1721 under the direction of the Marshal of Berwick and the engineer Tardif, then was taken over by the Marquis of Asfeld. The fort, completed around 1734, was part of a defensive system connected to Briançon by the Pont d'Asfeld and to the Fort du Randouillet by a strong communication. His role was to protect the city from invasions, although he had never suffered a major attack, except in June 1940.

The fort has a regular bastioned plan, with defence lines on the gorge front and logistics buildings inside the enclosure: barracks (one to three floors with a two-paned roof), pedriers (one vaulted in a cradle, another brick in a cave), guard corps, and an old chapel transformed into barracks after 1815. The Royal Gate, a two-tiered entrance, and the central arsenal (basket arched with a three-fly staircase) testify to its sophisticated military architecture. Although some planned buildings had never been built, the whole is a remarkable example of 18th century military planning.

Ranked a historic monument on 8 June 1989 for its facades and roofs, the fort is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7 July 2008, recognizing its universal value. A classification order of 10 December 2025 (not yet effective at the date of the sources) must replace previous protections. In 2018, a project to convert the fort into a new urban neighbourhood is envisaged, marking a transition from military use to civilian integration. The site remains owned by the municipality of Briançon, highlighting its local and national heritage importance.

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