Atlantikwall

Blockhouse - The Atlantic Wall Museum


Useful Information

Location: Just to the west of Calais, south of Cap Gris Nez, at Haringzelle.
Open: 12-FEM to JUN Mon-Fri 10-12, 14-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 14-17.
JUL to AUG daily 9-19, last entry 18:15.
SEP to 15-NOV Mon-Fri 10-12, 14-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 14-17.
[2011]
Fee: Adults EUR 8, Children (8-14) EUR 4, Children (0-7) free, Students EUR 6, Family (2+2) EUR 20.
Groups (20+): Adults EUR 5.50, School Pupils (15-18) EUR 4.50, Children (8-14) EUR 3.
[2011]
Classification: TopicAtlantikwall SubterraneaWorld War II Bunkers
Light:
Dimension:
Guided tours: D=60 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Musée du Mur de l'Atlantique, Batterie Todt, 62179 Audinghen, Tel: +33-321-329733, +33-321-826201, Fax: +33-321-320067. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1941-1944 built by the German army.

Description

The musée de mur l'atlantique (Atlantikwall museum) is located west of Calais and 3.2 km south of Cap Gris Nez. It is located inside a former bunker of the German defense wall Atlantikwall named Batterie Todt.

This Atlantikwall was built between 1941 and 1944 by slave labour during the German occupation. The wall extends from France through Belgium and the Netherlands to Germany and Denmark. There are more than 10,000 bunkers along the length. This blockhouse originally held four 380 mm guns, firing shells each of which weighed about a ton. These block houses were manned by a team of 21 soldiers, whose duty was to shell any shipping in the English Channel, and stop any Allied landings.

Well worth a visit, with a splendid little bar, just around the corner.


Text by Tony Oldham (2002). With kind permission.