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The rugged coast of northern France: known for jagged rocks, sandy beaches, surf spots - and for remnants of the Second World War.
There is also a hidden underground bunker in a residential area in Saint-Pabu.
Its owner rents it out to guests from all over the world.
Serge Colliou, Bunker Owner
»Hello, welcome to Bunker L479.
Follow me on a tour. "
If you want to spend your vacation in the expanded piece of war history on the Breton coast, you should like military decoration, be able to do without rooms flooded with light, and instead appreciate the hard work of the landlord.
Serge Colliou, bunker owner:
»It was a lot of clean-up work, a lot of hard work.
You have to delete and so on.
All in all, the work took 18 months, but without any rush.
It was particularly difficult for the craftsmen.
The excavator was particularly busy, as was the electrician.
Otherwise we did everything ourselves. "
Former fortifications of the German army are omnipresent along the Breton coast, even today.
Herve Farrant is committed to the preservation of military objects, such as these artillery platforms on the beach.
Herve Farrant, Bunker Researcher
“We looked for them, we dug them up and we made discoveries.
That took time.
These bunkers were forgotten and buried after the war.
And we opened them up again with shovels.
They were still intact then, but over time they all disintegrate because the sea salt corrodes them. "
Farrant wants to keep the buildings.
According to the bunker expert, three out of four fall victim to urban development.
But not everyone in the region can take advantage of the martial facilities.
Some mayors fear that they pose a danger to bathers and are campaigning for the concrete structures to be removed.
But some people in the region do see the historical value of the bunkers.
Quotes:
»You are part of the history of Brittany and the Breton coast, because there are hundreds, thousands of bunkers here.
They are part of the landscape and you can't go for a walk on the coast without seeing one every 100 or 200 meters. "
“It's a moment in our history, the history of mankind, and it's a bit sad to want to destroy all of this. On the other hand, it also keeps memories alive. Our grandparents saw it, my parents too. "
Some of the fortifications can be preserved and restored for historical reasons.
Or even - with a lot of effort and a weakness for war history - become bed and breakfast accommodation.
Serge Colliou, bunker owner
»We wanted to give the building a second life, but we won't live in the past forever.
We have preserved some aspects, you know where you are, there are historical clues, but it's not a museum either. "
The result of all the work: 400 square meters of expanded holiday bunker, consisting of 24 rooms on two floors - including a bar and a very special atmosphere.
For rent for 320 euros a night.