Ouvrage Granges Communes


Ouvrage Granges Communes is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one infantry block facing Italy. Additional blocks were planned but not built. Granges Communes is located about four kilometers northeast of Ouvrage Restefond on the Col de Raspaillon at an altitude of.
The position was placed to control the Col de Raspaillon road descending from the Camp des Fourches toward Bousiéyas. Construction began in 1931 and proceeded slowly due to design changes. By 1940 the entrance block remained uncompleted. The entrance block that presently exists was built in 1956 as part of a NATO policy of upgrading certain fortifications to block an advance by Warsaw Pact forces through northern Italy.

Description

Additional blocks were planned but not built. The underground portions of the ouvrage consist of two parallel galleries containing the garrison's living quarters, magazine and supporting utilities. The fortifications are presently abandoned and open to the elements.