The Viraysse Battery as seen from Fouillouse

You must park at the Fouillouse car park at the entrance to the hamlet.

(S/E) Leave the car park and turn left towards Fouillouse.
Walk right through the village along the road, then take the track towards Fort de la Plate Lombarde. Follow the^GR®5–^GR®56–^{GRP® routes.}
‘Allow about 1 hour to reach this fort’.

(1) Just before the fort, there is a junction between the^GRP® and the^GR®5–^GR®56. Head towards the Col du Vallonnet via the^GR®5–^GR®56(note that both routes lead to the pass). Follow the red and white markings.

(2) Once you reach the pass, leave the path leading to the Col de Stroppia on your left and head towards the Col de Mallemort (approximately 4 km).

(3) At this junction, continue towards the Col de Mallemort, leaving the path leading to the Col du Portiolette on your left. This is the route you will take on the return journey.
After passing Lac du Vallonnet Inférieur on your left (which was quite dry when we passed through in early August 2020), continue climbing.

(4) Turn left at the junction, following the^GR®5–^GR®56markings.

(5) When you reach the military road, follow it towards the barracks visible a little further up on the left.

(6) Go round the perimeter wall and climb up to the Col de Mallemort.

(7) Once at the pass, take the path leading to the battery and the Tête de Viraysse.

(8) Head back down the same way to the barracks.

(6) Leave the track by taking the^PR® Mirandol path on your right, which winds through the scree (yellow markings).

(9) At the junction, join the^GRP® Tour du Sautron, which comes from the Col du Portiolette, and turn left towards the Col du Vallonnet.

(3) At the junction by the Lower Vallonnet Lake, turn right towards the Col du Vallonnet.

(2) Once you reach the pass, head down towards Fouillouse by following the same route back as on the way up until you reach (S/E).

- The road leading to Fouillouse is quite narrow.
- You must park in the car park at the entrance to the village of Fouillouse.
- Bring water and a packed lunch.
- In Fouillouse, there are several places to eat and stay. Check opening times in advance.
- As the weather in the mountains can change quickly, bring appropriate clothing to protect yourself (against the cold, rain, sun or wind).

The Viraysse battery can be visited when members of the Association for the Preservation of the Viraysse Battery are present.

- Depending on what time you arrive in Fouillouse, the Châtelet Bridge spanning the Ubaye is well worth a quick look. There is a viewpoint on the D25 coming from Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye, just before you turn off onto the road to Fouillouse.

- There are several options for crossing the Plate Lombarde:
* either by crossing the ford shortly after Fouillouse to follow the left-hand side of the valley;
* or, at Plate Lombarde, leave the^GR®5-56to follow the path branching off to the left.
Note that this path also leads to the Pas de Couleta above the Refuge du Chambeyron.