Le Grand Blockhaus

About the museum

Le Grand Blockhaus is a German fire-control post built on the rocky spur of La Dilane, near Batz-sur-Mer. Ordered in the second half of 1942 to direct the fire of the Batz-sur-Mer guns and monitor shipping between Belle-Île and Noirmoutier, it was built between October 1942 and February 1943, with around 1,800 m³ of concrete poured over 27 hours. The structure is about 25 m long and up to 17 m high, with walls around 2 m thick, and was camouflaged as a large villa. It had heated rooms, toilets, an infirmary and filtered ventilation, allowing the garrison to hold out for several days on its own.

From August 1944, the garrison was cut off from the rest of the army in the Saint-Nazaire pocket, the last region of France to be liberated. After the German surrender, French forces took the blockhaus intact on May 11, 1945.

Brothers Luc and Marc Braeuer launched the project in summer 1994 to turn this abandoned post into a place of remembrance. They restored it privately, without subsidy, and the museum opened on July 1, 1997. It presents reconstructed scenes with uniformed mannequins, photographs, veterans' testimonies and the brothers' collection of military equipment, as well as the table on which the surrender of the pocket was signed, lent by the commune of Cordemais.

Highlights

• Authentic Atlantic Wall fire-command post across 5 levels
• Reconstructed scenes with uniformed mannequins and testimonies
• Table on which the surrender of the Saint-Nazaire pocket was signed
• Film screened every 15 minutes in the basement
• Treasure hunt for children aged 5 to 12

Permanent exhibition

• Poste de commandement du Mur de l'Atlantique – Route from the basement to the top floor over 300 m²: life in the bunker, local history of the Saint-Nazaire pocket and reconstructed scenes with testimonies.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Musée privé (Luc et Marc Braeuer)

Admission & discounts

Tickets at reception, immediate entry. Payment by bank card, cheque, chèques-vacances and cash. Guided tours on site of the Operation Chariot sites in Saint-Nazaire and of the batteries commanded by the blockhaus, by reservation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is housed in an authentic World War II bunker that is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. Small dogs are admitted in a bag or on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Treasure hunt offered to children aged 5 to 12, in French and English, with a certificate at the end. The blockhaus is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Getting there & parking

Address: 12 route de Dervin, Batz-sur-Mer.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenir shop with regional products, postcards, books and souvenirs (tel. 02 40 60 11 67). Picnic area and free bicycle parking.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit