“More to the left. A bit more…” Imagine those words echoing in 1875, as workers constructed La Batterie de Bièvres. This battery is one of five in the Verrières forest. The batteries were built to defend Paris after the defeat of 1870.
La Batterie de Bièvres formed part of a defensive network. The Réduit de Verrières was the command hub. It linked all five batteries in the forest. The other batteries included those of the Terrier, the Châtaigneraie and the Gatines. Sadly those three are now destroyed. Only ruins remain of the Igny battery. La Batterie de Bièvres is the only one still standing.
Originally, La Batterie de Bièvres housed 78 men. By 1946, its military purpose ended. Instead, it became a research center. The CNRS’s aeronomy service moved in. The Réduit de Verrières also housed another CNRS service. They studied the atmosphere. Scientists observed from the ground. They also used airborne instruments.
Let’s walk towards the entrance. Notice the first buildings. Later, we will approach the central part of La Batterie de Bièvres. Imagine cyclists hesitating at the entrance. The atmosphere here is chilling especially in the dark corridors.
These underground galleries slope gently. They lead to the rear of the ditches. That is the south side. Perpendicular galleries branch off. These may have hosted many parties.
More recently, in the summer of 2019, La Batterie de Bièvres changed again. It became a training center for the DGSI. That is the French internal security service. Sadly this means La Batterie de Bièvres is no longer open to the public.
Locals living near La Batterie de Bièvres have experienced the noise of heavy weapons. The DGSI now uses it for training exercises. The shooting ranges terrorize the Bièvre valley. From 10 AM to 3 PM, Monday to Friday the valley echoes with gunfire. The mayors of Bièvres and Igny were not informed in advance. They alerted the authorities.
Now while it is not accessible let’s take a moment to think about La Batterie de Bièvres. Built in 1875 as part of Paris’s defense. It then became a place of scientific research and is now a training ground for the DGSI. La Batterie de Bièvres stands as a silent witness to history.