Superb triangular structure built 3.7 kilometres to the west of the Cognelot fort. The entrance opens up at the bottom of the gorge ditch with a notched counterscarp that slopes gently downwards. The curtain wall could only be defended from the semi-detached escarpment. The barracks consisted of 5 bays, the central 3 of which were joined together to form a single bay. Two diverticula on the axis of the structure are closed to protect bats.
Fire from the Mont battery completes the action of the Cognelot fort. Located 5.5 km south of Langres, it stands on an isolated promontory 470 m high. This isolated battery, the largest in the area, was built between 1876 and 1878 to close the 7km gap between the Cognelot and Bonnelle forts. It also completed the defence of the southern side of the plateau. The views from the battery were limited by the Saint-Geosmes forest to the west and the ridges of the plateau to the south; as a result, only indirect fire was possible.
This structure has a number of original architectural features, such as its triangular plan, which is extremely rare in Séré de Rivières structures and of which there is only one other known example, also located in Champagne-Ardenne (Fort Saint-Thierry, Reims ring road). The battery has a small barracks consisting of five casemates, capable of housing around a hundred men. It also had five two-storey dugouts on its high artillery parapet. The upper level communicates with the firing posts, while the lower level has an underground gallery. This gallery connects all the shelter crossings and serves the shop casemates designed to house gunpowder and ammunition in wartime.
Private property, access to the site is strictly forbidden.
For a virtual visit, you can consult the visuals in our photo library.
Batterie du Mont
