An impressive military structure built between 1823 and 1848 on the orders of general Haxo, this arrangement of remarkably well-preserved fortifications was designed to repel an attack by the Duchy of Savoy coming over the Chartreuse mountains. La Bastille features ramparts, blockhouses and steps, rising up almost 300 meters. This site has been an integral part of the city for more than 2,000 years, from St Lawrence's crypt to the Rabot tower, and including the Musée Dauphinois.
A south-facing location at the gateway to the natural park of La Chartreuse, the Bastille is this impressive mass of limbstone turned into a strong and strategic place over the centuries and marked by the famous names of Lesdiguières, Vauban and Haxo.
One reaches the top fortress – a dungeon surrounded by two fortified arms – by walking on paths, along majestic ramparts and stairs, ponctuated by strongholds, galleries and caves.

The fortications: recollection of the military era
Although it was built between 1823 and 1848 in accordance with the plans of general Haxo, the Bastille’s fortifications have kept a turret, a vestige of the Lesdiguère wall dating from the 16th century.
Particularly well preserved, this defense system is composed of ramparts, half burried strongholds, galleries and gunfire seats, dominated by two fortified walls : the dungeon, as a defense place, and at the bottom the Rabot citadel, the soldier life location. It was only in the XXth century that the fortification had to face fire.

A remembrance place : 20 years of human presence
A former roman path, the Chalemont uphill testifies on a human presence as far as 43 BC. It brings to the Sainte-Marie d’en Haut convent, which was built in 1622 and hast hosted the Musée Dauphinois since 1967. among other wonders, once should visit its baroque chapel.
Any lover of antiquity and high middle ages should push the door of the Saint-Laurent’s church (VIth century) and visit the Saint Oyand crypt, going down into one of the most unique mortuary site in Europe.
A more recent modern-style building, the alpine troops memorial reaches 635 meters at the mont Jalla.