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Chappe de Courberon telegraph

Avrieux

Chappe telegraphy, the forerunner of modern telecommunications, was invented at the end of the 18th century. The Courberon station, located at 2002 meters above sea level in the commune of Avrieux, was part of a communication line running from Paris to Venice.

Description

Conceived during the French Revolution by Claude Chappe, this system profoundly changed the way messages were sent, using optical signals relayed from post to post.
Napoleon, who feared a resumption of hostilities with Austria, wanted this section of the line, but unfortunately it was short-lived. In 1814-1815, with the restoration of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, the link to Italy was abandoned.
Guided tours in summer, for the National Chappe Telegraphy Day and the European Heritage Days.

Additional welcome

Bring hiking boots and a 30-minute walk.

  • Minimum age: 7 years

Environments

  • Mountain location

Rates

Free access.

Opening period

Open daily, year-round.
Allow 30 minutes for the walk.
Snowshoes are recommended in winter.

Spoken languages

  • French

Adapted tourism

  • Not accessible in a wheelchair

Labels

Location

Access: from Aussois, take the route des barrages and turn left towards "le Clotte".
Free access, on your own responsibility.

Animals

Pets allowed : No

Chappe de Courberon telegraph
  • 19th C
73500 Avrieux
Documents