Ligne Maginot - Ouvrage de La Ferté

Built from 1935, the structure comprises two infantry casemates linked by a 300-meter-long underground gallery 25 meters below ground. Due to lack of funds and time, La Ferté was never completed. It was nevertheless occupied by a garrison of around 100 men from the time of mobilization in August 1939. From May 15, 1940, as part of the German breakthrough at Sedan, La Ferté and the surrounding area came under attack. From the 16th, the German artillery was unleashed. For several days, they fired almost 20,000 shells into the region, facilitating the infantry's assault on La Ferté. On May 18, protected by their artillery, the Germans managed to introduce explosive charges into the fortification, blowing up the French ammunition stored there. Explosions and fires ravaged the interior. Carbon monoxide was released, asphyxiating the entire garrison. In June 1940, the Germans entered the fort and discovered the bodies of French soldiers, which they buried nearby. From the summer of 1940 onwards, the Germans cleaned up the La Ferté fortress and organized visits for propaganda purposes. Since the 1970s, an association of volunteers has been responsible for opening this historic site to the public and maintaining it. "Open from March 15 to November 11, with guided tours departing as follows: - tuesday to Saturday: 10 am, 2 pm and 4 pm; - Sunday: 2 pm and 4 pm; - Monday (July and August): 2 pm and 4 pm Group bookings possible all year round. https://patrivia.net/fr/lieux/ouvrage-de-la-ferte-2829