A strategic pass that now marks the border between France and Italy. Offering magnificent panoramic views and a rich history, it is the starting point for numerous hikes and mountain bike rides, including the Haute Route du Sel.
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The Col de Tende has been a passageway since Protohistory. In Antiquity, the Romans erected a votive deposit here, found during archaeological excavations. As the highest point of the "Route du Sel", then of the "Route Royale", it contributed to the prosperity of the Tendasque muleteers, who offered their transport services to merchants.
At the end of the 19th century, the ridge, then located in Italian territory, was fortified following the incursion of revolutionary troops into Piedmont. Fort Central was the main defensive structure, surrounded by five semi-buried forts: Pernante, Giaure, Tabourde, Pépin and Marguerie. During the inter-war period, the whole complex was reinforced by numerous underground casemates, as part of a vast program to defend the border: the Vallo Alpino (known in France as the "Alpine Wall"). The Tende works were never used in combat, but they did house several garrisons.
In 1947, following the modification of the Franco-Italian border, the fortifications became French. Today, a Franco-Italian association offers visitors a tour of a fortification at Vievola, fully reconditioned to its 1939 state, ready for combat. It is the only structure in the Vallo Alpino dating from the Second World War that can be visited in its entirety.
At the end of the 19th century, the ridge, then located in Italian territory, was fortified following the incursion of revolutionary troops into Piedmont. Fort Central was the main defensive structure, surrounded by five semi-buried forts: Pernante, Giaure, Tabourde, Pépin and Marguerie. During the inter-war period, the whole complex was reinforced by numerous underground casemates, as part of a vast program to defend the border: the Vallo Alpino (known in France as the "Alpine Wall"). The Tende works were never used in combat, but they did house several garrisons.
In 1947, following the modification of the Franco-Italian border, the fortifications became French. Today, a Franco-Italian association offers visitors a tour of a fortification at Vievola, fully reconditioned to its 1939 state, ready for combat. It is the only structure in the Vallo Alpino dating from the Second World War that can be visited in its entirety.
The Col de Tende has been a passageway since Protohistory. In Antiquity, the Romans erected a votive deposit here, found during archaeological excavations. As the highest point of the "Route du Sel", then of the "Route Royale", it contributed to the prosperity of the Tendasque muleteers, who offered their transport services to merchants.
At the end of the 19th century, the ridge, then located in Italian territory, was fortified following the incursion of revolutionary troops into Piedmont....
At the end of the 19th century, the ridge, then located in Italian territory, was fortified following the incursion of revolutionary troops into Piedmont....
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