Photos

Photographer’s Note

The Joux castle is situated in the Doubs, overlooking the gorge opening a way from Pontarlier to Switzerland in the Jura. It is a part of the town of "La Cluse-et-Mijoux".

Mentioned in the eleventh century (1034), it was rebuilt in stone in the twelfth century by the family of the Lords of Joux.

In 1690, Vauban was enlarged and improved defenses.

He served during the Old Regime and the Revolution in state prison. It is famous for its walls enclosed in Mirabeau, Toussaint Louverture, Heinrich von Kleist ...

Successfully besieged by the Austrians in 1814, will be strengthened by building forts of Larmont (lower and higher) during the nineteenth century.

It will cover the retreat of the army of Bourbaki to Switzerland in January 1871. The army called "Eastern" had attempted to rescue the garrison of Belfort.

In 1879, Captain Joffre, then Engineering Officer on modernizes and transforms it into a real strong "Seré de Rivieres", with bunkers firing capacity of 155-mm guns, considered as the biggest cannon artillery of the time .

In this regard, two bunkers, called "bunkers Mougin", are completely covered not only under several meters of earth, but also cast plates (4 plates of 20 tons each). A system lock-cons weight allowed the opening to allow fire and huge vents to allow gases and dust generated by the fire to evacuate quickly. Recently restoration work, Joux has the only "bunker Mougin" in operation.

Features also a museum of weapons exceptionally located on the floor of the medieval dungeon. Weapons presented range from early eighteenth to early twentieth century, with nearly 600 pieces (helmet, baïonnnettes, swords, armor), some very rare pieces like a gun from 1717. See also a well 120 meters deep, one of the largest in Europe.

Hope you enjoy it !

dta, gervaso, ChrisJ, jlbrthnn has marked this note useful

Photo Information
Viewed: 268
Points: 28
Discussions
Additional Photos by cyrille dutrulle (cd70) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 112 W: 56 N: 55] (681)
View More Pictures
explore TREKEARTH