Plateau des Glières

Plateau des Glières. A high limestone plateau in the French Prealps, within the Bornes Massif, renowned as a major site of French Resistance during World War II. Located in the Haute-Savoie department, near the town of Annecy, it became a symbol of patriotic defiance following a pivotal battle in early 1944. Today, the area is both a national memorial landscape and a destination for outdoor activities, managed within the framework of the Regional Natural Park of the Bauges.

Geography and location

The plateau is situated approximately forty kilometers northeast of Annecy, within the Aravis Range of the Northern Alps. It lies at an average altitude of 1,400 meters, forming part of the Bornes Massif and overlooking the Valley of Thônes. The terrain is characterized by karstic features, including sinkholes and underground networks, within the broader geological context of the Subalpine Mountain Ranges. Key access points include the communes of Thônes and Le Petit-Bornand-les-Glières, with the plateau itself under the administrative jurisdiction of several municipalities in Haute-Savoie.

History

Historically used for seasonal pastoralism, the area's remote and rugged nature made it a strategic refuge. Its modern significance is inextricably linked to the events of World War II, though the region has deeper roots in the history of Savoy, which was annexed by France in 1860 following the Treaty of Turin. Prior to the 20th century, the plateau was primarily known within local agricultural cycles and did not feature prominently in major historical events like the French Revolution or the Napoleonic Wars. The construction of access roads in the early 20th century began to alter its isolation, setting the stage for its later role.

World War II and the Maquis des Glières

In early 1944, the plateau was selected by the Armée secrète and the Free French Forces as a parachute reception zone for Special Operations Executive and Office of Strategic Services arms deliveries. Under the command of officers like Tom Morel and later Maurice Anjot, the Maquis des Glières assembled several hundred resistants, including many young men seeking to avoid the Service du travail obligatoire. They engaged in a protracted standoff against Vichy France Milice and the German Wehrmacht, including the 157th Reserve Division. The culminating assault in March 1944, involving Luftwaffe bombing and attacks by Gebirgsjäger units, resulted in heavy casualties and the dispersal of the maquis. This battle, though a tactical defeat, was later mythologized as a heroic stand, celebrated by figures like Charles de Gaulle and documented by historian Henri Michel.

Memorial and commemoration

The site is dominated by the imposing National Monument to the Maquis des Glières, a massive concrete sculpture created by Émile Gilioli and inaugurated in 1973 by then-Minister André Malraux. A Nécropole nationale contains the remains of many who fell. The Departmental Council of Haute-Savoie manages the Historial de la Résistance en Haute-Savoie and the Maison du Patrimoine at Thônes, which provide educational context. Annual ceremonies are held, often with the participation of veterans' associations like the Ordre de la Libération, honoring the legacy of the Résistance intérieure française and its connections to the Allies of World War II.

Natural environment and tourism

Ecologically, the plateau is part of the Natura 2000 network, featuring alpine meadows, limestone cliffs, and habitats for species like the Alpine ibex and Golden eagle. It is a popular destination for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, with trails connecting to the Tour des Bornes and the Massif des Aravis. Management balances conservation with public access, involving the French Office for Biodiversity and local guides. The area's dual identity as a natural space and a lieu de mémoire attracts visitors interested in both the history of the Liberation of France and the landscapes of the Alps.

Category:World War II sites in France Category:French Resistance Category:Mountains of Haute-Savoie Category:Tourist attractions in Haute-Savoie