Uxegney Fort, Épinal, Vosges

After the loss of Alsace-Lorraine, to defend the new border between France and Germany, the General Séré de Rivières undertakes since 1874 the creation of two defensive forts and batteries lines. One on the Meuse, from Verdun to Toul, the other one on the Moselle between Epinal and Belfort.

Between the two, a whole area is left without defence : the "hole of Charmes". It constitutes a trap to attract the enemy to be caught.

Modernized in 1914, Uxegney fort went miraculously through 2 world wars without any damage : it is one of the few "Séré de Rivières" fort which is still intact.

The fort of Uxegney is a major element of the Epinal fortified place, which is composed by 16 forts and works, stretched on 43 kilometres. Built from 1882 to 1884, it was aimed at defending the Epinal-Mirecourt road, the railway track between Epinal and Nancy and the canal de l’Est. In addition, it had to support the neighbouring structures, including the fort of Bois-l’Abbé (1883-1885), located 1,200m East.

Abandoned by the army in 1960, the fort of Uxegney is maintained and restored since 1990 by the Association pour la restauration du fort d’Uxegney et de la place d’Epinal (ARFUPE).