We went into the islands off the continental France , hugely popular and lovely; it was like been born again for me! I like to update this posts from 2017 with links,text using same pictures. There are several posts on the island and a lot more pictures in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I ! This one is Ïle de Noirmoutier , part V.
And my Noirmoutier saga continues with the WWII bunkers on the beach there. This is part 5 or V of the saga so need to catch up with the previous ones for the whole story. By January 19 1944, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is named inspector of fortifications and all the big harbors of the Atlantic are raise to fortresses that will need to withstand until the last block.
After 73 years the bunkers or blockhouses here are brought to new by an association formed to protect them for posterity. The association is the Atlantic Wall Memory (AWM). Info here: Place René Ganachaud (mayor’s office) 85680 La Guérinière. The assoc webpage in French: https://atlanticwall.fr/tirpitz-blockhaus-la-gueriniere/
These are in the town of La Guériniére and along the Cantine beach or plage de la Cantine with children playground and plenty of bike paths and car parking for free.
Here you will find about 7 (I think I counted 7) blockhouses coming from batteries Sa 114a along boulevard de l’Océan in La Guériniére. One of the blockhouses the 669’s has a small museum on the local history of fishing; the Maison des Anciens Marins or the house of retired fisherman and wartime pictures . Finding the 627 with plates on rare to see but the bunker has them. The battery was named after the battleship “Tirpitz”.
Another bunker has a Maison des Ecluses et Pêche Traditionnelle still in use or the House of levies and traditional fishing. There are four building behind the bunkers acting as a double defense line and they look like bunkers to me too ::)
Once you are in the town of La Guériniére you follow the signs for the bonkers until you reach the boulevard de l’Océan one way turning right and find your parking. This is the Cantine beach and the after the children playground in a still grassy area facing the beach you see the big blockhouses rising before you one after the other. They are all near the sand or beach, and then behind are other buildings some semi submerge in the land on the other side of a narrow road. There are panels to explain what they are.
It is a mood time to reflect on the times then and what we have now and to protect the balance without injustices as happened before. It is a must for all to come and see them and especially our young adults so they learn the lessons of history head on.
The tourist office of Noirmoutier island and La Guériniére : https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/en/explore-the-island/la-gueriniere.html
Enjoy it and have a great time as we did in Noirmoutier island or Noirmoutier-en-île. And in this case at La Guériniére!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
