Fort du Scex

Fort du Scex is a Swiss artillery fortress carved into the rock face above Saint-Maurice, in the municipality of Vérossaz in the canton of Valais. A former military position, it is now a heritage site and a rewarding stop for anyone curious about how Switzerland defended its Alpine routes.

What is Fort du Scex?

The fort belongs to Fortress Saint-Maurice, one of the three main fortified regions of the Swiss National Redoubt. It is not a building that sits on a hilltop. Everything lies inside the mountain, and from the valley floor you notice little more than a few small openings in the cliff.

Why was it built?

Artillery positions here were first meant to protect the forts of Savatan and Dailly, begun in 1892 on the other side of the Rhône. At first, guns stood on the Ermitage terrace in the cliffs above Vérossaz. In 1911 work began on the Scex gallery proper, armed with four 7.5 cm guns that fired along the valley from the side.

The layout is a long tunnel running parallel to the cliff, with side passages leading to gun positions and observation posts. Fort de Cindey, built during the Second World War, was added later, and together the two form a fortified complex above the strategic Saint-Maurice valley. The valley narrows to a bottleneck here, and it is the route from Lake Geneva deep into the Alps.

The fort lost its combat role in 1984 and was fully decommissioned in 1995.

What will you see on a visit?

Tours cover underground corridors, gun emplacements, crew quarters and ammunition stores. The site is run by the Forteresse historique de St-Maurice association, which also presents Fort de Cindey. The interior is cool and damp, so bring a warm layer even on a hot day.

When to go and how to get there

The fort opens to visitors in the summer months. Dates, hours and prices change, and in some seasons the site closes for renovation. Check forteresse-st-maurice.ch or call the organiser on 024 485 40 40 before you travel. Booking a guided visit ahead is sensible.

Trains run to Saint-Maurice from Lausanne, Montreux and Martigny. If you drive, park at the Château de Saint-Maurice; parking is paid. The entrances to Scex and Cindey are reached from there.

FAQ

Is Fort du Scex open all year? No. Visits are planned for the summer season, and it is best to confirm dates with the operator.

Who runs the site? The Forteresse historique de St-Maurice, based at Avenue d'Agaune 19 in Saint-Maurice.

When did it stop being a military installation? It lost its combat function in 1984 and was fully taken out of service in 1995.

Can I combine it with another fort? Yes. Fort de Cindey is part of the same complex and is presented by the same association.