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The Maginot Line is a military fortification built in 1929 to protect France from a German invasion and to prevent a repeat of what happened in 1914.
It extends from the north-east of France (Dunkirk) to the south-east (Nice) but it is not continuous.
The Maginot Line was made up of dozens of artillery and infantry works, hundreds of independent casemates (casemates are forts bringing together artillery and infantry), shelters, observatories (called "bells") and thousands of small blockhouses (small solid houses from which one could watch for the arrival of enemies). The structures were equipped with machine guns, anti-tank guns, machine guns, mortars, grenade launchers and howitzers (bomb launchers).
The works on the line were independent, they produced their own electricity, had radios to communicate with the outside world and had several days of rations (water and food) in advance.
Inside this bunker-museum, the underground rooms, including a dormitory, allow you to imagine the life of the troops in these buried shelters. Photos also bear witness to the combat of the Second World War. An exhibition of weapons, cartridges, gas masks and uniforms tell the story of the fight from June 15 to 17, 1940: the casemate was courageously defended by thirty men for 3 days. Hitler visited it after the battle.
A Sherman tank, a Soviet cannon, an armored car and a half-track languish outside.
Opening of the museum:
- from June to September: every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- from March to June, from September to November: Sundays and public holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- rest of the year for groups by appointment
Price: 3 euros, free for children under 7 years old.