Germany's Atlantic Wall
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Port
Le Verdon (Bordeaux), France
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$129
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 3 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Between 1941 and 1944, anticipating an Allied invasion from the sea, Hitler ordered the building of an impassable defense line along the Atlantic, from southwest France all the way to Norway.
As many as 290,000 men were forced to build more than 12,000 bunkers above the shoreline.
Later, under orders from Field Marshall Rommel, the defenses were fortified with machine guns, anti-tank weapons and light artillery; minefields and anti-tank obstacles were placed on the beaches and mines were laid below the tideline.
Leaving the pier in Le Verdon, you'll head north of Soulac to discover several of these bunkers standing proudly on the edge of a sand dune, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Meet a representative of a local association that has renovated 25 bunkers, removing hundreds of kilos of sand and waste, sprucing up and restoring this amazing piece of World War heritage.
Hear firsthand how this incredible project was conceived and grew wings. Visiting the site, you will have an overview of the organization and step inside some of the bunkers. Learn how they were built, their function, the organization, their equipment and how they were integrated as part of the coastal defense network known as the Atlantic Wall .
Notes:
Wear sturdy non-skid walking shoes. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.