Bunker in La Rochelle
Enter an incredible 300m² blockhouse in the heart of the town centre to discover the history of La Rochelle from 1939 to 8 May 1945, the date of its liberation.
8 rue des Dames
17000
La Rochelle
Visit to the Bunker in La Rochelle
Take a self-guided tour of around 1 hour, along a 280m² trail featuring 19 panels, archive videos and reconstructed scenes, and relive the history of La Rochelle during the Second World War in the heart of this incredible blockhouse.
Built in the utmost secrecy in 1941 to protect German submarine commanders from bombs, the site, which has remained miraculously intact for 80 years and is decorated with marine frescoes, is protected by 2-metre reinforced concrete walls.
It has two large rooms for a total of 62 officers and 6 individual rooms, including for two admirals, a large bar, an office, a technical room and sanitary facilities.
Access by bike
La Rochelle is on the Vélodyssée cycle routes.
ADVANTAGE INCLUDED in your La Rochelle Océan Pass: get a 30% discount on bike hire.
Present your pass at our partner Cycling Tour in La Rochelle and benefit from your discount (your pass must be activated and valid).
Access by bus
Recommended bus stops :
Place de Verdun - Majority of main lines
ADVANTAGE INCLUDED in your La Rochelle Océan Pass: unlimited access to the Yélo bus network to get around La Rochelle.
In the application, press the ‘Transports en commun Yélo’ button: a camera opens and you can flash the QR stuck on the bus and located next to the driver, simply by passing your phone in front of it. Validation is compulsory at every stop on your journey.
Details of routes, timetables and changes to Yélo bus services are available at www.yelo-larochelle.fr
Access by car
Choose to park in the free Park & Ride sites at the city gates, then finish your journey by bus (free with the La Rochelle Océan Pass):
Beaulieu: 130 spaces (including 5 PRM)
Les Greffières: 300 spaces (including 8 PRM)
Simone Veil: 130 spaces (including 4 PRM)
Additional information
Average length of visit: 1 hour.
Visiting conditions :
. In high season (July and August) or when it's raining, for your comfort, plan your visit to the bunker in the morning, if possible as soon as it opens. You may have to wait outside if the bunker is very busy.
. As the bunker is a period building, there are no toilets in the museum. Public toilets (€0.50) are available in the central market square.
. Small and medium-sized dogs (max 15kg) are allowed in the museum provided they are kept on a lead or in a bag.
Animals
Motor disability
As the configuration of the Bunker has remained the same since it was built, some passages and accesses are narrower (around 50 cm wide).
An 8-step staircase provides access to the beginning of the tour, which is then at ground level.
Opening hours
1 April to 30 September: daily from 10am to 7pm
1 October to 31 March: daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
The museum is closed on 24 and 25 December.
Annual closure from 31 December 2024 to 07 February 2025
Last admissions 1 hour before closing time.
Public price
Adult : €9.50Child (6 to 11 years old) : €7.00
Teenagers (12 to 17 years old) : €9.50
Price with the pass
Adult : FreeChild (6 to 11 years old) : Free
Teenagers (12 to 17 years old) : Free