The Fort in the Edge of the Forest

The Fort de Bois l'Abbé, or Fort Poniatowski, is part of the fortifications of Épinal, France. Constructed between 1883 and 1885, it is an example of a Séré de Rivières system fortification. Standing at an altitude of 384 metres, it is situated 1,200 metres east of its larger neighbour, the Fort d'Uxegney. Despite its formidable appearance, the fort escaped significant alteration in the years prior to World War I and is maintained as a museum today.

Its original armament comprised four 120mm guns and two 90mm guns, with additional smaller arms. It was upgraded with 75mm anti-aircraft guns in 1915, while the larger guns had been removed. The fort lost strategic importance as the Bois de Souche obstructed its views. Small positions were built in the Bois de Souche in lieu of improving the main fort. These were not completed at the time of mobilization in 1914. Between 1900 and 1906, infantry shelters of a spiral 'queue de cochon' design were installed around the fort.

In 1913-14, the fort received electricity, fed from the local power grid. The fort served as a central bakery, providing bread to the Fort d'Uxegney and the Fort de la Grande Haye. The Fort de Bois l'Abbé saw no action during World War I, as the German forces did not reach the area around Épinal. Concrete platforms were placed on the surface of the fort for 75mm anti-aircraft guns following the aerial bombardment of Épinal, but the guns were never installed.

Between World War I and World War II, the fort remained military property and was used as an ammunition depot. During World War II, the Germans used Bois l'Abbé to house occupying forces and continued to use it for ammunition storage. After World War II, the French army maintained an ammunition depot at the Fort de Bois l'Abbé until 1960. It was used after 1960 by private tenants, but was restored by the Association pour la Restauration du Fort d'Uxegney et de la Place d'Épinal (ARFUPE) beginning in 1995. The fort may be visited on special occasions.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons