Carved into the rock of the Saint-Maurice gorge, Fort de Cindey is an underground fortress built between 1941 and 1946. You explore it with a guide, passing through the Grotte aux Fées, among period weaponry and the soldiers’ quarters.
Fortresses & fortifications
Main highlights
- Underground fortification from the Second World War, built between 1941 and 1946
- Guided tour of around 2.5 hours featuring anti-tank guns and fortress machine guns
- Access via the Grotte aux Fées, a natural gallery linking the fort to Fort du Scex
Closed until 31.12.2026
Closed in 2026 due to renovation work at the Grotte aux Fées
Overview
Fort de Cindey is carved into the rock of the Saint-Maurice gorge. Built between 1941 and 1946, it took over the role of the castle and later the Dufour fortifications, as part of a coherent system that includes the major forts of Dailly, Savatan and Scex. The site thus brings together 500 years of fortifications.
These installations could sometimes house several hundred men living fully self-sufficiently for up to three months. Linked by a natural underground gallery, the Grotte aux Fées, the forts of Cindey and Scex operated together until 1995, when they opened to the public.
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What to see and do
Visits are by guided tour only. The tour explains the internal organisation of the fortification and the daily life of the soldiers stationed there.
To enter the fort, you follow the passage leading to the Grotte aux Fées for about a hundred metres, then branch off towards the military installations. The route thus combines a natural gallery with a man-made structure.
Inside, you can take a close look at the preserved weaponry : anti-tank guns of various calibres and fortress machine guns. You will also discover the defence systems and the equipment needed for self-sufficient living, from living quarters to technical installations. Fort du Scex, connected by the same gallery, forms a coherent defensive complex with Cindey.
Practical information
Access : the meeting point is at the entrance to the Grotte aux Fées, above Saint-Maurice.
Visit duration : around 2.5 hours, guided tour mandatory.
Visitors : individuals and groups, with groups able to book dedicated tours.
On site : credit and debit cards are not accepted; payment is in cash or with TWINT.
Visiting tips
The temperature is around 10 degrees all year round, so bring warm clothing, even in summer. Wear closed shoes with non-slip soles, as the ground in the galleries can be damp and slippery.
Book ahead, as group sizes are limited. You can combine your visit with the Grotte aux Fées, accessible via the same gallery system.
Nearby attractions
- The Grotte aux Fées is a water-carved cave leading to a small underground lake fed by a waterfall.
- The Abbey of Saint-Maurice, founded in 515 by the Burgundian king Saint Sigismund, is a pilgrimage site on the Via Francigena.
- Fort de Dailly is an underground fortress with around 20 kilometres of galleries above Lavey-les-Bains.
Closed until 31.12.2026
Closed in 2026 due to renovation work at the Grotte aux Fées
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