Beneath the Albion plateau, 18 sealed missile silos from the Cold War now house scientific research, transforming a nuclear relic into a unique underground lab.
Historical missile silos remain hidden
Eighteen concrete silos, each more than 20 meters deep, are buried beneath the Albion plateau, where the departments of Vaucluse, Drôme, and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence meet. Most have been sealed and left in their original condition, hidden among oaks and lavender fields from those who do not know where to look.Missiles never launched
The nuclear missiles for which these silos were built are no longer there, having been removed in 1996. None of these missiles were ever fired, despite the site operating on continuous alert from 1971 to 1996.Missile site origins
Between 1966 and 1971, eighteen missile silos were excavated beneath the Albion plateau. The strategic ballistic missile system was designed to withstand a nuclear attack and conduct retaliatory launches, as part of a program envisioned by General de Gaulle in the early 1960s.Site characteristics and impact
The site covered an area of 800 square kilometers, with the core located on the plateau. Originally, it included two receiving antennas, two firing control posts, 18 launch zones, and facilities for military personnel. The location was chosen due to its low population density and suitable limestone soil.Human presence and transformation
More than 3,000 people were stationed on or around the plateau, particularly in Saint-Christol, Sault, and Apt. The Ministry of Culture notes the transformation of the territory on geological, demographic, social, and cultural levels. For two decades, the area was described as the most guarded and monitored in France.Demilitarization and new uses
In 1996, the site was decommissioned as the terrestrial component of deterrence ended. Some silos have been sealed, while others have been converted into solar fields or public facilities, such as the Sirene astronomical observatory and the Bistrot de Lagarde.Underground laboratory
Beneath 500 meters of rock, the firing control post number 1 in Rustrel houses the Underground Low Noise Laboratory (LSBB). The site was chosen for its ability to withstand nuclear impacts and electromagnetic disturbances, making it valuable for scientific research.Scientific research and impact
Established in 1997, the LSBB studies the karstic aquifer crossing the plateau to manage water resources in Provence. The site is above the Fontaine de Vaucluse aquifer and hosts around 100 people, including physicists, geologists, hydrologists, and biologists.Heritage designation
The site has been labeled a 20th-century heritage site since July 3, 2013. The Ministry of Culture describes it as a unique entity on the metropolitan territory, with fewer than five similar sites worldwide.
