Visiting U-boat bases in France

[DanCanovas]

Hi folks, on the 25th of this month, myself and a few mates of mine are visiting some WW2 sites in France. I'd love to have a look at some of the U-boat bases in France. Does anyone have any recommendations? I'll be driving from Normandy so whatever is closest, possibly Brest if there is anything left.

Anyway any help would be much appreciated

Cheers
Dan

[Hitman]

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'll be driving from Normandy so whatever is closest, possibly Brest if there is anything left.


Yes: Remember to drive on the right lane when you cross the strait or we might not hear again from you :lol:

Seriously, here's some info from a 2002 book I have:

Brest: Close to the public AFAIK as they are used by the french Navy
Bourdeaux: In private hands and you can arrange a visit. A bus service runs from the Bourdeaux railway station to a point very near the bunkers
Lorient: Belongs to the french Navy but visits are guaranteed to Keroman complex from mid-June to mid-September
St. Nazaire: Theroretically free access, however note that it is used by harbour facilities as storage place and such, so not everything is always visitable.
La Pallice: Belongs to the french Navy and while a part had been leased for civilian use, it is not much safe to visit due to its lack of maintanence.

[UglyMowgli]

Near the WW2 beach you can visit this:

Cherbourg, there is the Redoutable SSBN to visit:
http://www.cite-de-la-mer.com/uk/embarquement/pole_sousmarin/redoutable/default.asp

St nazaire base with the only afloat submarine museum in france:
http://www.saint-nazaire-tourisme.com/index.php?Ids=UqiTLCjdiSyvnhEVtxOp&Menu=Mcpid&dr1=&dr2=&Action=777&idn3=218

Lorient -Keroman III (submarine base bunker)

http://www.lorient-tourisme.fr/Base_des_sous-marins_d.4189.0.html

At Brest you can't viist the submarine base, it is in a military aera.

[DanCanovas]

really appreciate the info guys. i'd love to do Le Redoutable and Lorient. ill have a word with the other guys going. thanks again! :up:

[Dowly]

If you get the change to visit Lorient, ask somebody if Germans used blockade ships to protect the bunker entrances from enemy torpedos and the bouncy bomb things.

I saw it in a documentary awhile back, but havent really found any info of it when I tried to search. AFAIK, there's one half sunken ship there still today. Not sure tho.

[DanCanovas]

ok no problem mate, if I see anybody who might have information i'll give them a good subsim interrogation! :arrgh!:

[DanCanovas]

not to mention the photos ill post when i get back hehe :up:

[kakemann]

Anyone knows if there are any well preserved german subs to visit?
I would love to see one in real life!

Thanks

[DanCanovas]

Does anyone have any recommendations? I'll be driving from Normandy so whatever is closest, possibly Brest if there is anything left.


Yes: Remember to drive on the right lane when you cross the strait or we might not hear again from you :lol:

Seriously, here's some info from a 2002 book I have:

Brest: Close to the public AFAIK as they are used by the french Navy
Bourdeaux: In private hands and you can arrange a visit. A bus service runs from the Bourdeaux railway station to a point very near the bunkers
Lorient: Belongs to the french Navy but visits are guaranteed to Keroman complex from mid-June to mid-September
St. Nazaire: Theroretically free access, however note that it is used by harbour facilities as storage place and such, so not everything is always visitable.
La Pallice: Belongs to the french Navy and while a part had been leased for civilian use, it is not much safe to visit due to its lack of maintanence.


i've never driven on the right hand side before. its going to be a nightmare..especially the roundabouts!!

[DanCanovas]

i've spoken to the other chaps anmd the Keroman base at Lorient looks like its on the cards!