Mont-Dauphin travel guide
Visit Mont-Dauphin (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France)
Photo Gallery Book a visitMont-Dauphin is a fortress designed by the famous French military architect called Vauban. The fortified village is in the Hautes-Alpes department of France (in the Provence region), on a cliff above the Durance river and the river Guil.
Explore Mont-Dauphin
Mont Dauphin was built in the late 17th century, early 18th to protect France on its Italian border. Vauban, France's famous military architect, chose the Plateau des Mille Vents to build Mont Dauphin which is a fortified site designed for a civilian population but with a military garrison as well.
In 1713 the Italian border moved further from the site and so the early development was not increased with time, and Mont-Dauphin was never invaded.
The site and fortress are now a listed historic monument and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the Vauban designed fortifications of France.
Mont Dauphin is entered through the main building, the officers pavillion which housed the officers. Also on the sight you can see the imposing arsenal. The arsenal had two wings but one of these was destroyed by an Italian bombing raid in 1940.
Around the edge of the village there remain various barracks, one of which is now home to Mont-Dauphin town hall and various craft workshops. The village church commissioned by Vauban remains unfinished as the population of Mont-Dauphin remained small.
Surrounding the buildings of the village are the fortifications with their triangular and half-moon shaped bastions and walls protected by mounds of earth. Walking around the edges of these the views are stupendous - looking out as they do over the crossroads of two valleys. Even if you are not an enthusiast of military architecture it is worth visiting Mont-Dauphin for the views.
Attractions nearby
Embrun is nearby on the eastern end of the popular leisure lake of Lac de Serre-Poncon, and conveniently placed for excursions into the mountains.
Briancon is not far away and is home to another of Vauban's forts.
You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Alpes guide and the Provence guide.
Photos of Mont-Dauphin
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Map of Mont-Dauphin and places nearby
Visit near Mont-Dauphin with France This Way reviews
L'Argentiere-la-Bessee
The silver mines in L'Argentiere la Bessée, very active in the 19th century, are now reopened as a popular tourist attraction
L'Argentiere-la-Bessee guide
Embrun
The historic centre of Embrun is usually visited at the same time as the leisure lake of Lac de Serre Poncon
Embrun guide
Briancon
The town of Briancon is best known for its extensive Vauban fortifications, and also has lots to discover in its old town
Briancon guide
Lake Serre-Poncon
Among many beautiful Alpine lakes we mention the Lac de Serre-Poncon because of its spectacular setting and wide range of leisure activities
Lake Serre-Poncon guide
Vallee de l'Ubaye
Starting near the Lac de Poncon, the Vallée de l'Ubaye is one of the scenic highlights in the Alps
Vallee de l'Ubaye guide
Barcelonnette
Barcelonnette has an attractive town centre, and also a good number of substantial 'Mexican villas' adding character to the town
Barcelonnette guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Hautes-Alpes
Address: Mont-Dauphin, Guillestre, Briançon, Provence, 5600, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.67, longitude 6.6244
Plan your visit to Mont-Dauphin, Hautes-Alpes
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Mont-Dauphin place forte (Vauban fortifications): heritage site
- Place Forte de Mont-Dauphin: national monument
- L'Argentiere-la-Bessee: recommended detour (15 km)
- Queyras: regional natural parc (18 km)
- Briancon: secteur sauvegarde (26 km)
- Briancon fortifications (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (26 km)
- Lac de Serre-Poncon: site of natural beauty (28 km)
- Vallee de la Claree: grand site of france (34 km)
- Cirque de Viso: site of natural beauty (34 km)
- Source - Verdon: site of natural beauty (39 km)
- Col de la Bonette: site of natural beauty (41 km)
- Col d'Allos: site of natural beauty (42 km)
The French version of this page is at Mont-Dauphin (Francais)