page_title: Séré de Rivières system
section_title: Organization
hierarchical_section_title: Séré de Rivières system / New technology / Organization
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Cloche, ou observatoire blindé, du fort de Villey-le-Sec.
context_page_description: The Séré de Rivières system was named after Raymond Adolphe Séré de Rivières, its originator. The system was an ensemble of fortifications built from 1874 along the frontiers and coasts of France. The fortresses were obsolescent by 1914 but were still used during the First World War.
context_section_description: The Séré de Rivières was based on the concepts of the fortified town and the defensive screen. The towns were intended to furnish locations for eventual counter-attack, while the defensive curtain prevented passage by an attacker. The screen was not continuous and was arranged to channel an attack to a secondary line of fortified towns. Other such systems were intended to delay the progress of an attack in order to build up defensive forces. A typical defended point consisted of a circle of forts about 10 km (6.2 mi) from the centre, surrounding a town. The forts were able to provide mutual support and could fire on one another to suppress attacks. In addition to the principal forts, smaller works were provided to support the infantry in the intervals between forts. Such works provided shelter to infantry during bombardment and may contain reserve artillery. A support network of 60 cm (24 in) railways extended behind the lines to provide logistics. Known as the Péchot system, it was first installed at Toul and was adopted as a standard in 1888.
caption: Armored observatory (Fort de Villey-le-Sec).
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