The bunker shifted after the retreating German army blew up the munitions stored inside in 1944.
The structure originally belonged to the Ouvrage du Pas du Roc, a fortification built to protect the narrow passage through the Alps.
The building weighs several hundred tons and remains resting at an angle of roughly 25 to 30 degrees.
Despite being severely tilted, the reinforced concrete walls have remained largely intact for over 80 years.
The site sits directly along the route that historically served as the primary transit corridor between France and Italy through the Alps.
La Maison Penchée, or the Leaning House, is a former French military bunker tilted at a significant angle following a 1944 explosion. Located in the Maurienne Valley near the Italian border, it was part of the Maginot Line defenses. The structure was originally built as a blockhouse for the Ouvrage du Pas du Roc. During the retreat of German forces in September 1944, they detonated internal charges, destroying the building's foundation and causing the entire reinforced concrete block to shift and slide into its current gravity-defying position. Today, it remains physically embedded in the landscape, serving as a roadside attraction for those traveling toward the Fréjus Road Tunnel. It is a rare example of a permanent structure displaced by tactical demolition while maintaining its structural integrity.
From the roadside pull-off, angle your camera to align the building's base with the horizon to emphasize the extreme tilt.
Park your vehicle in the designated pull-off area safely away from the active road.
Use a wide-angle lens to capture the full scale of the tilt relative to the surrounding mountains.
Be cautious of passing traffic as the site is located directly on a regional road.
Do not attempt to climb onto the structure, as the concrete surfaces are uneven and the stability is not intended for pedestrian use.
Accessible year-round, though heavy winter snowfall in the Alps can occasionally impact roadside accessibility.
