7th Bataillon of Alpine Hunters

Souvent considérées comme un rempart naturel, les Alpes ne sont cependant pas infranchissables. Par la présence des cols du Petit-Saint-Bernard, du Bonhomme et de l’Iseran, la vallée de Haute-Tarentaise regroupe d’importants lieux de passage depuis la Préhistoire. Dès l’Antiquité, le col du Petit Saint-Bernard constitue un trait d’union entre les populations alpines locales. Lors de la conquête romaine, l’Empereur Auguste termine l’aménagement de la voie romaine. Troupes, souverains, pèlerins, marchands, banquiers ou colporteurs se croisent sur les routes tarines. À la fin du Moyen-âge, le Comté de Savoie contrôle cinq cols cruciaux, dont le Petit et le Grand Saint-Bernard.

 Visits 

This place was home to the Blue Devils of the 7^th Battalion of the Chasseurs Alpins (Alpine Hunters) (7^th BCA) until 2012. This memorial site offers an overview of the Haute Tarentaise valley and the defences built to protect and control the routes to Italy. An opportunity to discover the area’s military past, its organisation, how fortifications were built, the battles that were fought and the men who gave their lives for our freedom and peace.

«I, Marie, am proud to be part of this elite unit, part of the 27^th Alpine Division specialising in mountain warfare. Its missions call for endurance, autonomy, tolerance of extreme conditions, cool heads and team spirit. During the past twenty years, we have served abroad: Mali, Afghanistan, Chad, Lebanon, Bosnia, Kosovo... as well as on French territory. Our motto: “The Battalion of Iron and Steel".»

MILITARY PRESENCE: KEY DATES

1890 : 158^th Infantry Regiment. Some troops billeted locally.

1890 - 1894 : Construction of the Seloge and Chapieux barracks.

1893 - 1895 : Construction of the Veys road and barracks

1890 - 1914 : 11^th then 22^nd Foot Battalion Alpine Hunters, Seloge - Les Chapieux.

1909 : 108^th Territorial Infantry Regiment.

1913 : 97^th Infantry Regiment, 11^th Foot Artillery Regiment.

1914 : Commissioning of the first buildings in the Arbonne - Bourg Saint Maurice sector.

1922 :  1^st Company of the 7^th Battalion Alpine Hunters.

1935-1940 : 70^th Alpine Fortress Battalion.

1942-1944 : Italian, then German occupation.

 Did you know? 

THE ALPINE BERET

Adopted in 1891, the beret, or “tarte”, quickly became the emblem of the Alpine Hunters. The hat is big enough to protect from the sun or to keep feet warm during long guard duties in the mountains.

THE BLUE DEVILS

During the First World War, the Alpine Hunters were sent to the Vosges. In 1915, they fought “like lions” against German troops, who were very impressed and dubbed them the “Blue Devils” because of their blue uniform.