The Maginot Line, named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany. It was constructed along the borders with Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg. Ouvrage translates as "works" in English: published documents in both English and French refer to these fortifications in this manner, rather than as "forts". An ouvrage typically consists of a series of concrete-encased strongpoints on the surface, linked by underground tunnels with common underground works (shops, barracks, and factories etc.). Constructions started in the early 1930s. They served during the Second World War, and were often reused during the Cold War before being gradually abandoned by the French army. This particular ouvrage consists of two combat blocks connected by an underground gallery and was manned by 100 men before surrendering to the Germans in 1940.
I put this on the list of things to check despite information suggesting it was secured. Glad I did as it turned out to be pretty nice inside. All items have been removed but it's pretty clean with some nice signage and murals on the walls throughout. Just a small part of a very fruitful trip with @extreme_ironing, @elliot5200 and @Maniac.
1. Starting from ground level
2.
3.
4. Coat of arms painted on the wall
5.
6. Sealed entrance in one of the combat blocks.
7. Hand painted signage could be found everywhere: 'Victory'
8. 'One for all, and all for one', the motto of the Three Musketeers
9. 'Be a man'
10. & 11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21. 'Honor work solidarity'
22.
23.
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25. 'Secrecy is a matter of honor for communications personnel'
26. Notice the dirty footprints up the wall, not sure how those got there.
27. This mural was mint.
28. Just to finish off, a couple of pics from another petit ouvrage that was also meant to be sealed. It was flooded in here, the water reached waist deep in this brickwork tunnel so we had to give up.
29. Calcite coated the floor throughout.
30. Gun machinery would have been positioned here.
Cheers for looking
I put this on the list of things to check despite information suggesting it was secured. Glad I did as it turned out to be pretty nice inside. All items have been removed but it's pretty clean with some nice signage and murals on the walls throughout. Just a small part of a very fruitful trip with @extreme_ironing, @elliot5200 and @Maniac.
1. Starting from ground level
2.
3.
4. Coat of arms painted on the wall
5.
6. Sealed entrance in one of the combat blocks.
7. Hand painted signage could be found everywhere: 'Victory'
8. 'One for all, and all for one', the motto of the Three Musketeers
9. 'Be a man'
10. & 11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21. 'Honor work solidarity'
22.
23.
24.
25. 'Secrecy is a matter of honor for communications personnel'
26. Notice the dirty footprints up the wall, not sure how those got there.
27. This mural was mint.
28. Just to finish off, a couple of pics from another petit ouvrage that was also meant to be sealed. It was flooded in here, the water reached waist deep in this brickwork tunnel so we had to give up.
29. Calcite coated the floor throughout.
30. Gun machinery would have been positioned here.
Cheers for looking
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