fenestrelle fortress

The fortress was started by the French, and finished by the Savoys. It took more than 120 years to build. The wall is surrounded by the Alps making beautiful scenery. We arrived after noon , so we were only able to do a 45 minute tour by ourselves. This enabled us to walk a bit inside the wall. The steps were gentle but one must be careful. I nearly slipped on a patch of ice. My husband was a little disappointed because he wanted to see more of the surrounding views. To do so, I think one must at least do the 3 hour hike with a guide. I hope to return one day to see more of this fascinating wall.

This fort , built by the French to block the valley , is a masterpiece of military architecture , developed along the left side of the mountain , partially well restored , with a breathtaking staircase of more than 3.000 steps reaching the top

I visited the fortress two times, because they have two different guided tours. The first one takes 3 hours and the second one 6 hours or more (you need to wear good sport shoes and carry water enough and your lunch!). I've had the same guy (a volunteer) as tour guide and I must say it's very nice to see how much he does know and how passionate he is about history. I personally enjoyed more the short visit, even if during the long one you climb higher and the panorama is more impressive. You you happen to be in Fenestrelle, get there in the morning to be sure you can take part in the visit.

Quite simply one of the best things I have done in Italy! We went late October so rang ahead to book a trip. We were the only people there and our guide (and dog) were knowledgeable and highly entertaining. The scale of the fortress is unbelievable, and the views from the top equally as spectacular. They day soon passed and we climbed up to the top, and back down through a lovely forest path.This was the highlight of my trip to Turin, and WELL worth the detour to. Even the drive up the mountain road to the fortress is an experience in itself!

We had spend many summers in Briancon, and we never miss crossing the border to go and spend a day in Italy. Instead of going for the usual shopping/lunch trip, i looked for something different and stumbled about this place.I was amazed i never ever heard about it, and that my friend who had been coming for the last 25 years to the area had no idea what it wasThe roads to go there are mountains roads, and ocne you pass Sestrieres, there is not much to look for excepting enjoying the landspace. But the Fortress itself is amazing! It is quite incredible it is so unheard of. They call it the Great Wall of Piedmont, and for having been to the Great Wall a few times (I used to live in Beijing) i can see why.Bur unlike the Great Wall you can reach near Beijing, this place is definitively different. Quiet, forgotten... So don't expect lift to go up the 400 steps (a 3km walk), We arrived unprepared and the place is not really catered for tourist passing by. There are 3 kind of visits (accompanied, but with an Italian speaking guide) at fixed times, They last 1 hour, 3 hours, or... 6 hours (if you want to go to the top!).We had kids with us and we arrived hours before the next visit, but the information office told us we could it we wanted do a short unaccompanied visit for 3 euros. They opened the gate for us and here we were, only us in that mega structure!I will definitively try to go there again, and try to do the 6 hours visit!

Very few English friends I have spoken to know that this place even exists. Bizarrely absent from most guidebooks, it is a breathtaking example of a hill fort. I was lucky enough to go to a wedding here, it's one of the best i have ever been to.

Undervalued monument of Italian history, great example of war architecture at world level. Worth the visit, but... Be prepared, it is not a museum, it is a tough walk of half day if you take the short version ;)

very much appreciated by people who like hiking . The landscape over the Alps is fantastic. There are differnt kind of tours ffrom 2 hrs to a max of 6 hrs.

It's an amazing fortification. starts from the bottom of the valley, where the main fort lies, and arrives at the top of the mountain.To complete the full tour, which requires the full day, you must climb 4000 steps, so be prepared to fatigue.the medium tour requires only 1500 steps....unique construction that offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.those who can not bring himself to face the full tour can choose the shortest route.in any case, you can linger in the cafeteria after the visit. simple but fantastic food after the experience just made.

Well worth the drive to this historical site. Beautiful scenery all around. Also known as the great wall of the Alps!

We visited the complex although only from the outside (guided tours are only available in the morning ),but it was still interesting. there is a small restaurant, a museum with various stuffed animals and a beautiful view! The complex is the largest of its kind in Europe and consists of a connected series of steps and paths of individual fortresses. The connecting stairs have a total of over 4000 steps.Plannedby the military architect Ignazio Giuseppe Bertola Roveda was to repel a possible French invasion of Piedmont along the Chisone.Wir besichtigten den Komplex zwar nur von aussen (geführte Touren finden nur am morgen statt), es war trotzdem interessant.Nebst den Festungsanlagen gibt es ein kleines Restaurant,ein Museum mit diversen präparierten Tieren und eine schöne Aussicht!Der Ort ist insbesondere für die hier zwischen 1728 und 1850 errichtete Gebirgsfestung bekannt. Der Komplex ist der größte seiner Art in Europa und besteht aus einer durch Treppen und Wege verbundenen Reihe von einzelnen Festungsanlagen. Die Verbindungstreppen haben insgesamt über 4000 Stufen. Errichtet wurde die Anlage vom Festungsbaumeister Ignazio Giuseppe Bertola Roveda zur Abwehr einer möglichen französischen Invasion des Piemonts entlang des Val Chisone.

By far the best thing I did this trip. The largest fort in europe with the largest undercover stair case. We did a 8 hour tour for only $15 euro. You walk to the top (appox 4000 steps, not all in the fort) however you get heaps of breaks so if you're moderately fit, it's fine! Our guide was amazing, Kent, he was british but has lived near by for 9 years. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate. And he tells the history in an interesting way. Such clever architecture. Book ahead. The surroundings are beautiful so stay there for a couple of days. Other towns near by such as briancon or sauze are worth a look! So a car is the best way to travel.

The building, sleeping over the mountain since centuries, is simply amazing, wel organized, excellent guides.

Fenestrelle is amazing. I highly recommend Kent Benson as a guide. He is both knowledgeable and passionate.

Fenestrelle fortresses: We took the 3 hour tour which ended up being a 4 1/2 hour adventure. We pre-booked via email in English (info@fortedifenestrelle.com). Reservations are required as they are not open every day, even when posted. Our tour was in Italian, but the guide was British and filled us in as we walked from point to point. Much is inside in cool stairwells, but a substantial part of the climb is outside. "Romeo", the museum director's little spaniel led the way through out the tour! Fenestrelle is about 20 minutes from Sestriere on the road to Pinereolo.If you aren't able to take the Fenestrelle tour, try Fort Exilles near Susa, which was a smaller companion fortress.