An atypical structure in the history of fortification, this covered passage had a triple function: to ensure communication between the Trois Têtes fort and the Randouillet fort, to block the Fontchristiane valley and to protect the drinking water tank.
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Built between 1724 and 1734, this atypical work in the history of fortification allows, as its name indicates, the link between two forts: the Trois Têtes fort and the Randouillet fort.
Its name "Y" comes from the military atlas which classified the works with letters of the alphabet. So don't look for any resemblance with the letter Y!
The structure takes the form of a long gallery 200 m long and 4.50 m wide. It is built of masonry and is barrel vaulted, so that soldiers could cross it and use the bottom of the valley under cover of enemy fire. Its position above the village of Fontchristiane, just at the entrance to the fortification zone, also gave it a role as a defensive gateway, a real barbican. In the event of an attempt to approach the forts, enemy soldiers were blocked both upstream and downstream of the work by a series of ditches and covered paths framed by half-bastions. The gallery was used to store artillery pieces. The access road to the forts used to run through the centre of this structure. Drawbridges, a narrow vestibule and two guardhouses, opening on either side of the gate, reinforced its defence.
This original building hides a treasure: a water tank 4.68 m deep, with a capacity of 55 m3. It was supplied by springs captured in the valley. The water arrived in "bourneaux" (pipes dug in the larch). This drinking water was drawn by the soldiers and transported to the forts in barrels loaded on mules.
The fort belongs to the town of Briançon and is one of the works included in the list of World Heritage Sites for the work of Vauban.
The structure takes the form of a long gallery 200 m long and 4.50 m wide. It is built of masonry and is barrel vaulted, so that soldiers could cross it and use the bottom of the valley under cover of enemy fire. Its position above the village of Fontchristiane, just at the entrance to the fortification zone, also gave it a role as a defensive gateway, a real barbican. In the event of an attempt to approach the forts, enemy soldiers were blocked both upstream and downstream of the work by a series of ditches and covered paths framed by half-bastions. The gallery was used to store artillery pieces. The access road to the forts used to run through the centre of this structure. Drawbridges, a narrow vestibule and two guardhouses, opening on either side of the gate, reinforced its defence.
This original building hides a treasure: a water tank 4.68 m deep, with a capacity of 55 m3. It was supplied by springs captured in the valley. The water arrived in "bourneaux" (pipes dug in the larch). This drinking water was drawn by the soldiers and transported to the forts in barrels loaded on mules.
The fort belongs to the town of Briançon and is one of the works included in the list of World Heritage Sites for the work of Vauban.
Built between 1724 and 1734, this atypical work in the history of fortification allows, as its name indicates, the link between two forts: the Trois Têtes fort and the Randouillet fort.
Its name "Y" comes from the military atlas which classified the works with letters of the alphabet. So don't look for any resemblance with the letter Y!
The structure takes the form of a long gallery 200 m long and 4.50 m wide. It is built of masonry and is barrel vaulted, so that soldiers could cross it...
Its name "Y" comes from the military atlas which classified the works with letters of the alphabet. So don't look for any resemblance with the letter Y!
The structure takes the form of a long gallery 200 m long and 4.50 m wide. It is built of masonry and is barrel vaulted, so that soldiers could cross it...
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