Mont Alban fort

Mont Alban fort is located between Villefranche-sur-Mer and Nice. It dominates the entire coast, from the Italian Riviera to the Esterel, from a height of 220 meters.

The Mont Alban fort

Despite the conflicts of the past and the fires, it is currently preserved in very good condition and can be visited (see bottom of page).
It is a magnificent example of the heavy, austere and powerful defensive constructions of the 16th century. The fort forms a quadrilateral measuring 40m by 46m, with its high blind walls, sentry boxes, drawbridge, etc.
It offers an exceptional panorama over the bay of Villefranche and the Baie des Anges. But that’s not all.
To the east, you can see Bordighera (Italian Riviera), Cap d’Ail and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. And to the west: the Baie des Anges and Nice, the Antibes peninsula and the Esterel massif.

Why a fort here?

Nice has always been coveted because it was a passageway south of the Alps. There were many wars there. Also, after the Treaty of Cagnes in 1544 (recording the military defeat of the King of France against the Duke of Savoy), the Piedmontese authorities, i.e. the Dukes of Savoy, considered building a new fort. It was located between the Château de Nice and the Citadelle de Villefranche. The work lasted from 1557 to 1560. Dominating the entire coast, it was very massive and could accommodate around forty men. Depending on the wars, it was successively French or Piedmontese.

On Mont Boron or Mont Alban?

Some people think that the Mont Alban fort is on Mont Boron, as there is no such thing as Mont Alban. Contrary to what you might read here and there, Mont Alban does exist. It is a small mountain reaching a height of 302 meters, to the north of Mont Boron, which reaches a height of 191 meters. Mont Alban is sometimes included in Mont Boron because they are two very similar hills very close to each other. But geographers clearly distinguish the two entities, Mont Alban and Mont Boron.

Practical information

Mont Alban fort
Chemin du fort de Mont-Alban
06000 Nice

Opening hours
From July 1 to September 30
Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Closed on August 15.

Bus 33, Chemin du Fort stop