Haut Bugey

Fort l’Écluse

Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, make Fort l'Ecluse an unmissable place to discover and enjoy... Well beyond the borders of Pays de Gex.

Description

Perched high above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the horizon. Over 700 years old, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them on guided or self-guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the “Au cœur de la Cluse” exhibition and the spectacular sound and light show “Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history”. Something for everyone! Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, plunge “Into the heart of the storm” and “Discover the little rhinolophes”, the bats of the Fort. This year, 2 new temporary exhibitions: “Intimité sauvage”, fantastic animal photos by Adrien Favre and “Gendarmes résistants dans l'Ain, le choix de l'impossible” by the association Mémoires de l'Ain 1939 - 1945. Summer events include the 12th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles, historical re-enactments... And for those who want to get active, there are a number of sporting activities: an adventure course with a breathtaking view at the upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hiking trails. And let's not forget the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery linking the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.

Themes

  • themes

Welcome supplement

One 60-seat meeting room. Fast food on site with regional products. Refreshment bar.

Categories

  • 17th C
  • 18th C
  • 19th C

Languages

  • English
  • French

Groups

  • Group accepted
  • Maximum group size: 40
  • Minimum group size: 20

Tourism and disability

Main courtyard on one level. Gravelled upper courtyard. This courtyard leads to the historical exhibition ‘Au cœur de la Cluse’ and to the panoramic terrace. The exhibitions ‘Au cœur de l'orage’ and ‘A la découverte des petits rhinolophes’ are not wheelchair accessible, access by stairs.
Concerts and events are usually held in the main courtyard.

Stairs leading to the upper courtyard with contrasting risers. Stairs leading to the exhibitions, terrace and upper fort without contrasting treads. We recommend using the lifts.

Welcoming of pets

  • Pets refused

Multimedia

Openings

From 07/06 to 29/06/2025, every Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

From 30/06 to 31/08/2025, daily between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

From 06/09 to 21/09/2025, every Saturday and Sunday between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

Prices

Full price: 6 €
Reduced price: 4.50 €
Group adults: 5.50 €
Group children: 4 €.

Group rate available for > 20 people.

Capacity

  • Meeting rooms number: 4
  • Modular rooms number: 1
  • Total touristic capacty: 100

Services and comforts

  • Shop
  • Coach access
  • Guided tours
  • Tourist brochures
  • Tourist information

Activities

  • Shows
  • Theatre
  • Activity
  • Temporary exhibition
  • Entertainment evenings
  • Children's entertainment

Equipments

  • Bar
  • Lift
  • Toilets
  • Car park
  • Public WC
  • Picnic area
  • Meeting room
  • Coach parking
  • Parking nearby
  • Exhibition space

Accueil des personnes en situation de handicap

  • Tourisme adapté : non communiqué
  • Descriptif handicap mental : non communiqué
  • Descriptif handicap auditif : non communiqué
  • Marque tourisme et Handicap : non communiqué
  • Nombre de pers. pouvant être accueillis en fauteuil roulant : non communiqué
  • Descriptif handicap visuel : Stairs leading to the upper courtyard with contrasting risers. Stairs leading to the exhibitions, terrace and upper fort without contrasting treads. We recommend using the lifts.
  • Descriptif handicap moteur : Main courtyard on one level. Gravelled upper courtyard. This courtyard leads to the historical exhibition ‘Au cœur de la Cluse’ and to the panoramic terrace. The exhibitions ‘Au cœur de l'orage’ and ‘A la découverte des petits rhinolophes’ are not wheelchair accessible, access by stairs. Concerts and events are usually held in the main courtyard.