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Origin and history

The lowland of Mount Africa, located at Flavinerot in the Gold Coast, was erected between 1878 and 1879 as part of the post-1870 fortifications. It is part of the vast defensive network designed by General Séré de Rivières to protect the eastern border of France, particularly around Dijon. This military structure, positioned on the highest point of Mount Africa, was designed to cover the Fort de la Motte-Giron and strengthen local defence.

The small one has notable architectural peculiarities, such as scalds at the corners of the courtesines and the absence of an inner courtyard. In 1921, a powerful lighthouse was installed there, before being destroyed in the 1950s. The ensemble was registered with the Historical Monuments by order of 17 March 2006, thus recognizing its heritage and strategic importance.

This monument illustrates the evolution of fortification techniques in the nineteenth century, marking a concrete response to the French defeat of 1870. Its present state, although partially altered (notably by the disappearance of the lighthouse), reflects the ingenuity of the military engineers of the time, including General Séré de Rivières, a central figure in this defensive system.

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