Historic site and monument

in Léaz

Fort l'Écluse

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 on self-guided or guided tours, through the fascinating exhibition “Au cœur de la 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 “Au cœur de l’orage” and set off to discover the lesser horseshoe bats and the Fort’s bats.
Also discover the temporary exhibition “Intuitions croisées”, which brings together the worlds of FotOZé and Clau Redier-Clément, from 26 June to 30 August. Combining photography and painting, this exhibition explores a shared vision: creating a dialogue between the real and the intuitive, memory and emotion, the visible and the implied.
Summer events are sure to thrill you: the 13th edition of the Jazz in Fort l’Ecluse festival, classical concerts by the Soloist Academy, Nuit des étoiles…
And for those who fancy a bit of exercise, there are sporting activities: an adventure trail with breathtaking views at the Upper Fort, a free-access via ferrata and hiking trails. Not to mention the challenge of earning the famous ‘staircase diploma’: climbing the 830 steps of the underground gallery linking the Lower Fort to the Upper Fort.

Additional Information :

One 60-seat meeting room. Fast food on site with regional products. Refreshment bar.

We speak : English, French

In Video

Themes

  • Fort
  • Historic patrimony
  • Military Patrimony

Location details

On the RN 206, at the exit of Bellegarde-sur-Valserine take direction of the Pays de Gex and Geneva.

  • Riverside
  • Waterside

Visit

Average length of individual visit : 90 min.

Average length of group visit : 90 min.

Minimum group size : 20 people

Maximum group size : 40 people

Customers

Suitable for : Groups

Tour languages

French

Services for individual visits

  • Unguided individual tours available permanently
  • Guided individual tours on request

Services for group visits

  • Unguided group tours on request
  • Guided group tours on request

Opening

Opening hours from 13 June to 21 June 2026
SaturdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
SundayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
Opening hours from 27 June to 30 August 2026
MondayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
TuesdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
WednesdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
ThursdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
FridayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
SaturdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
SundayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
Opening hours from 05 September to 20 September 2026
SaturdayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm
SundayOpen from 10:30 am to 06:30 pm

Prices

PricingMin.Max.
Full price
6 €Not communicated
Reduced price
4,50 €Not communicated
Group adults
5,50 €Not communicated
Group children
4 €Not communicated

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.

Payment options

  • Bank/credit card
  • Check
  • Cash

Services

Equipment

  • Parking nearby
  • Coach parking
  • Meeting room
  • Car park
  • Public WC
  • Bar
  • Picnic area
  • Exhibition space
  • Lift
  • Toilets

Services

  • Coach access
  • Shop
  • Tourist brochures
  • Tourist information
  • Guided tours

On-site activities

  • Temporary exhibition
  • Entertainment evenings
  • Shows
  • Theatre
  • Activity
  • Children's entertainment

Animals welcome

Pets are not allowed

Adapted tourism

Adapted service : 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

Motor disability

This courtyard leads to the historical exhibition "Au cœur de la Cluse", the immersive exhibition "A la découverte des petits rhinolophes" and the panoramic terrace. The exhibition "Au cœur de l'orage" is not wheelchair accessible, and access is by staircase. Concerts and other events usually take place in the main courtyard.

Visual disability

Stairs leading to the upper courtyard with contrasting risers. Stairs leading to the exhibitions, terrace and upper fort without contrasting treads. We recommend using the lifts.

Address

Longeray
01200 Léaz

My route via Google Maps
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9.2 / 10

Average over 543 reviews posted on various review sites

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