Concerts, festivals, events and exhibitions, enjoyed by thousands of visitors, make Fort l'Ecluse an unmissable place to discover and enjoy... Well beyond the borders of Pays de Gex.
Perched above the Rhône, Fort l'Ecluse dominates the skyline. Dating back 700 years, it has many stories to tell. Come and discover them during self-guided or guided tours, through the fascinating scenography of the exhibition ‘Au cœur de la Cluse’ (At the heart of the Cluse) and the spectacular sound and light show "Fort l'Ecluse: 20,000 years of history ". There's something for everyone!
Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, dive into ‘Au cœur de l'orage’ (In the heart of the storm) and set off to ‘discover the lesser horseshoe bats’, the Fort's bats, and explore the temporary exhibition ‘Intuitions croisées’ (Crossed intuitions).
The summer events will thrill you: the 13th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles (Night of the Stars), and more.
And for those who want to get active, there are sporting activities: an adventure course with breathtaking views at the Upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hikes. Not to mention the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery that connects the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.
One 60-seat meeting room. Fast food on site with regional products. Refreshment bar.
Thanks to its immersive exhibitions, dive into ‘Au cœur de l'orage’ (In the heart of the storm) and set off to ‘discover the lesser horseshoe bats’, the Fort's bats, and explore the temporary exhibition ‘Intuitions croisées’ (Crossed intuitions).
The summer events will thrill you: the 13th edition of the Jazz in Fort l'Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles (Night of the Stars), and more.
And for those who want to get active, there are sporting activities: an adventure course with breathtaking views at the Upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hikes. Not to mention the challenge of obtaining the famous staircase diploma: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery that connects the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.
One 60-seat meeting room. Fast food on site with regional products. Refreshment bar.
Services
Disabled access
Lift
Picnic area
Bar / Refreshment bar
Toilets
Car park
Meeting room
Caterer
Seminars
- Activities
- Temporary exhibition
- Entertainment evenings
- Shows
- Theatre
- Activity
- Children's entertainment
- Equipment
- Picnic area
- Lift
- Bar
- Toilets
- Public WC
- Exhibition space
- Car park
- Meeting room
- Parking nearby
- Coach parking
- Screen
- Microphone
- Stage
- Table
- Chair
- Rectangular table
- Services
- Coach access
- Shop
- Tourist brochures
- Tourist information
- Guided tours
- Bar
- Fitted kitchen
- Dining area
- Restaurant in the close vicinity
- Free choice of caterer
- Cutlery and crockery provided
- Accommodation in the close vicinity
- Seminar/meeting
Accessibility
Accessible for wheelchairs with assistance
Reserved space 330 cm wide < 100 m from the site
Minimum aisle width of 90 cm
Doors >=77 cm wide
Lift (80 x 130 cm) and door >= 77 cm
Reception desk between 70-80 cm high
WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
Incline >5% but reasonable
Visual alarm with flash light
Reception staff sensitized to the reception of people with disabilities
Rates
From 13 June 2026 to 20 September 2026
From 13 June 2026 to 20 September 2026
Full price
€6.00
Reduced price
€4.50
Group adults
€5.50
Group children
€4.00
Free with proof of age: children under 6, RSA recipients.
Family rate (2 adults and 2 children): €17
Full-fare annual pass: €10
* The annual pass also gives access to the five departmental museums (Bresse, Bonnet silk, Resistance and Deportation, Revermont and Bugey-Valromey museums).
- Combined ticket Fort l'Ecluse / Château de Voltaire: €12
- Pass'Découvertes de l'Ain, a digital pass allowing you to visit 3 sites at a smart price!
3 sites of your choice, excluding Parc des Oiseaux: €19
3 sites to choose from + the Park: €31
** A full-price ticket entitles the holder to reduced-price admission to the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l'Ain.
Family rate (2 adults and 2 children): €17
Full-fare annual pass: €10
* The annual pass also gives access to the five departmental museums (Bresse, Bonnet silk, Resistance and Deportation, Revermont and Bugey-Valromey museums).
- Combined ticket Fort l'Ecluse / Château de Voltaire: €12
- Pass'Découvertes de l'Ain, a digital pass allowing you to visit 3 sites at a smart price!
3 sites of your choice, excluding Parc des Oiseaux: €19
3 sites to choose from + the Park: €31
** A full-price ticket entitles the holder to reduced-price admission to the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation de l'Ain.
Payment methods
Check
Cash
Bank/credit cardGroups (Max capacity)
Groups (Max capacity)
- 40 Maximum number of people
Openings
Saturday
10:30 - 18:30
Sunday
10:30 - 18:30
Monday
10:30 - 18:30
Tuesday
10:30 - 18:30
Wednesday
10:30 - 18:30
Thursday
10:30 - 18:30
Friday
10:30 - 18:30
Saturday
10:30 - 18:30
Sunday
10:30 - 18:30
Saturday
10:30 - 18:30
Sunday
10:30 - 18:30
Medias
fort l'ecluse![fort l'ecluse]()
Missing video caption
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- Riverside
- Waterside
Access
Access
- On the RN 206, at the exit of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine take direction of the Pays de Gex and Geneva.
