©Nohcab Bunkers in Calais: In the footsteps of the Atlantic Wall
Calais and its surroundings invite exploration in the footsteps of a past that has marked our coastsFrom the strategic fervor of the Battle of Britain in 1940 to the architectural excess of the " Fortress "Calais," discover how extreme engineering transformed this land into a fortress. But the experience doesn't end with concrete; the duty to remember is lived in the open air. Between the cathedral-like bunkers and the preserved nature reserves, prepare for a unique sensory immersion where the wild beauty of the Opal Coast meets the poignant remains of the Atlantic Wall.
1940: The Battle of Calais and the Battle of Britain
At the end of May 1940, after the Battle of CalaisThe city fell to the Germans. They quickly set about their defensive strategy for a city and port some thirty kilometers from the English coast. After the fall of France in June, Hitler attacked England and launched the first major air campaign in history. The skies over Calais witnessed the Battle of Britain. Numerous airfields were built or reinforced around Calais (Marck, Coquelles, Peuplingues, Pihen-les-Guines, etc.). Nearly 300 Luftwaffe aircraft were stationed around Calais during the summer of 1940, and German fighter aces like Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland were stationed there. Shelters, bunkers, and anti-aircraft defense installations appeared around these airfields.
©Timothé Lovergne A still visible gigantism
From the summer of 1940 until the Liberation of Calais in 1944, the Germans continued to reinforce their defenses on the Pas-de-Calais coast… all the more so given the plausible prospect of an Allied landing on the Pas-de-Calais beaches, considering the geographical proximity of England. From 1942 onward, Germany wanted to build the Atlantic Wall on the coastline it occupies. The idea is to transform Calais into a fortress to be held at all costs, the "Festung Kalais." Concrete is poured, construction sites are numerous, and men are requisitioned. Several concrete behemoths, poignant vestiges of the Occupation from 1940 to 1944, are still visible in Calais and its surroundings.
The Mako Bunker in Calais
The Marine Kommandatur, in the center of Calais, the longest bunker in Europe, now houses the Memory Museum 1939-1945The essential starting point for exploring Calais during the Second World War. One of its rooms is dedicated (with an impressive model) to the monstrous Lindemann Battery which, from the heights of Sangatte, aimed its cannons at the Strait of Dover and England.
Calais 39-45 Memory Museum
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©Nohcab The Oldenburg Battery
East of Calais, the Oldenburg Battery is one of the most impressive remnants of the 1939-1945 war in the Calais XXL area. This Kriegsmarine battery was tasked with securing the Strait of Dover, armed with two formidable cannons capable of striking ships and the English coastline. Today, the contrast is striking between the sheer size of this relic and the serenity of the surrounding landscape, at the heart of the protected Fort Vert site, an exceptional natural setting of dunes and wetlands.
Discover the Dunes of Fort Vert
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©Timothé Lovergne The Dombunker
The Dombunker (cathedral-bunker), near the Calais LA Plage campsite, is another rare relic. This type of vaulted bunker was used to conceal powerful rail guns like the Krupp K5, capable of reaching England. Currently left in its original state, it is slated to be incorporated into the Arc Ouest district renovation project and could house the next phase of François Delaroziere's machine project. To be continued…
Tips for responsible and safe exploration
To ensure your adventure remains enjoyable, remember that these concrete giants are also fragile relics. Strictly respect fences and private property: many sites are located on protected land or belong to private individuals. For your safety, never attempt to enter undeveloped bunkers or climb on their structures, as the risk of falling or collapse is real. Finally, remain extremely vigilant during your walks near the cliffs of Cap Blanc-Nez.
Between dunes and bunkers
Nature walks and historical exploration in Calais
Exploring the Second World War heritage of Calais and its surroundings means discovering a region where remembrance tourism meets the wild beauty of the Opal Coast. Between the dunes and the plains, the vestiges of the Second World War, such as the impressive bunkers of the Oldenburg Battery ou the Memory Museum (Mako Bunker)These structures bear witness to extreme engineering. A historical walk, blending the "Lost Places" aesthetic of Fort Vert with the technical starkness of the Regelbauten, offers a unique sensory immersion in nature. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a coastal hiking aficionado, or a photographer seeking unusual landscapes, exploring these concrete sentinels promises an extraordinary cultural and emotional experience on the Opal Coast.
©Nohcab A course will be available soon.
While waiting to be able to discover the precise map of the remains, here are some key places to visit, starting with the 39-45 Memorial Museum: the longest German bunker in Europe.
Calais 39-45 Memory MuseumWhich bunkers are worth visiting in Calais? + -
The Calais XXL area contains several major remnants of the Atlantic WallThe Mako Bunker, in the center of Calais, houses the Memorial Museum 1939-1945 This is the natural starting point for understanding the German occupation and the "Festung Kalais". To the east, the Oldenburg BatteryThe former Kriegsmarine battery rises in the heart of the protected natural site of Fort Vert, between dunes and wet meadows.
Is the Atlantic Wall visible in Calais? + -
Yes, and in a particularly striking way. Calais and its surrounding area are among the sectors where the Atlantic Wall left the densest and best-preserved traces. Built from 1942 onwards to transform Calais into an impregnable fortress, the "Festung Kalais," this defensive system generated reinforced concrete constructions of exceptional scale. The Oldenburg Battery, the Dombunker, and the Mako Bunker are the most accessible examples. Some of these remains are now integrated into protected natural areas, making their discovery doubly impactful.
The Atlantic WallIs it possible to enter the bunkers? + -
Some bunkers are converted into living quarters and open to the public, such as the Mako Bunker which hosts the Memorial Museum 1939-1945However, the unconverted bunkers are not accessible from the inside and must not be approached under any circumstances. The aging concrete structures present a real risk of collapse. Some remains are perched on the cliff face and threaten to topple over. Several sites are also located on protected land or private property: respecting fences and marked perimeters is essential. These remains are best viewed from the outside, which in no way diminishes the power of the place. If there is one site to recommend, the Oldenburg Battery has been specially designed as an observation deck.