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 above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the skyline. Dating back 700 years, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them during self-guided or guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the exhibition ‘Au cœur de la Cluse’ (At the heart of the Cluse) and the spectacular sound and light show "Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history ". There's something for everyone!
Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, dive into ‘Au cœur de l'orage’ (In the heart of the storm) and set off to ‘discover the lesser horseshoe bats’, the Fort's bats, and explore the temporary exhibition ‘Intuitions croisées’ (Crossed intuitions).
The summer events will thrill you: the 13th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles (Night of the Stars), and more.
And for those who want to get active, there are sporting activities: an adventure course with breathtaking views at the Upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hikes. Not to mention the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery that connects 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

  • 19th C
  • 17th C
  • 18th C

Languages

  • English
  • French

Groups

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

Tourism and disability

This courtyard leads to the historical exhibition "Au cœur de la Cluse", the immersive exhibition "A la découverte des petits rhinolophes" and the panoramic terrace. The exhibition "Au cœur de l'orage" is not wheelchair accessible, and access is by staircase. Concerts and other events usually take place 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 13/06 to 21/06/2026 weekends between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

From 27/06 to 30/08/2026 daily between 10.30 am and 6.30 pm.

From 05/09 to 20/09/2026 weekends 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 or more.

Free with proof of age: children under 6, RSA recipients.
Family rate (2 adults and 2 children): €17
Full-fare annual pass: €10

* The annual pass also gives access to the five departmental museums (Bresse, Bonnet silk, Resistance and Deportation, Revermont and Bugey-Valromey museums).

- Combined ticket Fort l'Ecluse / Château de Voltaire: €12
- Pass'Découvertes de l'Ain, a digital pass allowing you to visit 3 sites at a smart price!
3 sites of your choice, excluding Parc des Oiseaux: €19
3 sites to choose from + the Park: €31

** A full-price ticket entitles the holder to reduced-price admission to the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l'Ain.

Modes de paiement

  • Check
  • Cash
  • Bank/credit card

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 : Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
  • Nombre de pers. pouvant être accueillis en fauteuil roulant : Aucune valeur
  • Descriptif handicap mental : Aucune valeur
  • Descriptif handicap moteur : This courtyard leads to the historical exhibition "Au cœur de la Cluse", the immersive exhibition "A la découverte des petits rhinolophes" and the panoramic terrace. The exhibition "Au cœur de l'orage" is not wheelchair accessible, and access is by staircase. Concerts and other events usually take place in the main courtyard.
  • 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 auditif : Aucune valeur
  • Marque tourisme et Handicap : Aucune valeur
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