French Fortress: Abandoned Film Set (Skip It)
🎬 Bottom Line First
What it is: An abandoned movie set built for a film that flopped. Crumbling fake fortress in the middle of nowhere.
Our honest take: Skip it. It's remote, unimpressive, dangerous, and there are WAY better things to see in Wadi Rum.
If you insist on visiting: Keep reading, but don't say we didn't warn you.
The Real Story
The "French Fortress" (also called "Desert Forges") is not an ancient fort. It's not even a real fortress.
What actually happened:
- A film production company built this set for a movie project
- The movie flopped or was never completed
- They abandoned the set in the desert
- It's been decaying for decades
The buildings were constructed to look like a fortress for filming, using basic materials (stone, concrete, wood). Once the cameras stopped rolling, the set was left to rot.
Why "French Fortress"?
The name likely comes from:
- A French production company being involved in the film project
- OR the set being designed to look like a French colonial fort
- OR just a nickname that stuck because it sounds more romantic than "abandoned movie set"
The exact details of which film and when are murky - information is scarce and contradictory.
What You See Today
Current state:
- Main Building: A large deteriorating structure with multiple rooms, partial roof collapse
- Walls: Crumbling stone/concrete walls, many sections fallen
- Debris: Scattered rubble, broken materials, rusty metal fragments
- Graffiti: Covered in tourist graffiti and vandalism
It looks vaguely fortress-like from a distance. Up close, it's clearly a cheap movie set falling apart.
Location & Access
Where it is: Deep in the western desert, approximately 15-20 km from main Wadi Rum tour areas. Remote and difficult to reach.
How to get there:
Private Jeep Tour Only
You CANNOT visit this on your own safely. You need:
- A private jeep tour arranged specifically to go there
- A guide who knows the route (not all do)
- Extra time and money - it's way off the normal routes
- 1+ hour driving each way through desert with no roads
Most standard jeep tours do NOT include this - and for good reason.
Safety Issues
⚠️ Serious Dangers
- Unstable structures: Walls and roofs actively collapsing
- Sharp debris: Broken glass, rusted metal, nails everywhere
- No shade: Fully exposed to desert sun
- Uneven ground: Easy to trip, twist ankle on rubble
- Wildlife: Snakes/scorpions hide in ruins
- Zero facilities: No water, no bathroom, no help if injured
This is NOT safe for kids. Supervise closely if you bring them anyway.
Should You Visit?
Honest Assessment
Visit ONLY if:
- ✓ You specifically love abandoned film sets
- ✓ You're a photographer hunting unique ruins
- ✓ You've already seen ALL the main Wadi Rum highlights
- ✓ You have extra time and budget to waste
Skip it if:
- ✗ This is your first visit to Wadi Rum
- ✗ You have limited time
- ✗ You're on a budget
- ✗ You have kids with you
- ✗ You want to see actual historical sites
- ✗ You value your time
VERDICT: Not worth it for 95% of travelers.
Better Alternatives
Instead of wasting time on a fake abandoned movie set, visit these REAL attractions:
- Hejaz Railway Station: REAL historic trains from WWI, easier to reach, actually significant
- Lawrence's Spring: Authentic historical site, beautiful views, worth the climb
- Khazali Canyon: Ancient rock inscriptions, natural beauty, on standard tours
- Rock Bridges: Spectacular natural formations, photo-worthy
- Sand Dunes: Classic desert experience, fun for all ages
Practical Info (If You Still Want to Go)
What to bring:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Long pants (protection from sharp objects)
- Lots of water
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
- First aid kit
- Camera (the ONLY reason to go)
Time needed: 20-30 minutes at the site (seriously, there's not much to see)
Photography: Interesting for urban decay photography, but Wadi Rum has MUCH better photo opportunities elsewhere.
The "Agrabah" Myth
Some clickbait blogs claim this was used for Disney's Aladdin or inspired "Agrabah." This is FALSE.
It's just internet BS to generate clicks. Don't believe it.
Final Word
The French Fortress is a crumbling movie set in the middle of nowhere. It's remote, underwhelming, and honestly kind of depressing.
Wadi Rum is STUNNING. Don't waste precious time on this when you could be seeing actual natural wonders and historical sites.
If you insist on going anyway, at least now you know what to expect: not much.
See Wadi Rum's REAL Highlights
Skip the abandoned movie set. Spend your time on spectacular natural formations and authentic historical sites.
Plan Your Visit