The French couple Serge and Virginie embarked on an ambitious project to transform a former World War II bunker in the quaint village of Saint-Pabu into a quirky living space for those not afraid to stay underground.
The original military structure, "Luftwaffe Station Renntier", was built in 1943 in Saint-Pabu (Finistère), just a few hundred meters from Corn ar Gazel and Béniguet beaches.
The building served as the German army's fighter command post during the Second World War, reserved for officers. It was the decision-making center for the entire northern coast of Finistère.
The couple, who have lived in Saint-Pabu for over a decade, stumbled upon the bunker by chance, which sparked their curiosity. In 2017, the Colliou family purchased the land where the bunker is located for 35,000 euros.
They faced a significant challenge in renovating L479. The construction site was massive, with the bunker covering 400 m2 over two floors.
It had been abandoned for 70 years and used as a landfill. The renovation took eighteen months, and the bunker was available to rent starting in 2020.
"Military terrain, do not enter"
About thirteen bunkers of this type were constructed along the Atlantic Wall—a system of fortifications built by the Third Reich along the European coasts during the Second World War—but only this one has been restored.
The intimidating tone is set right from the moment you arrive at the bunker's entrance: 'Military terrain, no entry.'
Steep staircase leading down to the bunker's heart
Luckily, the days when civilians were forbidden to enter this concrete structure are long gone.
The completely renovated World War II bunker is 12 meters below ground.
The kitchen is suitable to prepare food for large groups
The bunker includes individual rooms, an 8-bed dormitory, a hammock dormitory, bathrooms, two lounges, a large dining table for ten people, a bar, a designated smoking area, and a kitchen.
The "Bunker Bar"
Smoking room
The bunker is not a museum but contains relics of its former purpose, including old telephones, replica weapons, and metal cabinets.
Plus, there are photos on the walls of how the bunker looked before its renovation.
Single room
The bunker can be rented by the night (sleeps eight) or for a party (capacity of 25 beds), with the requirement of having a guard on-site.
Dormitory
Apart from the private rooms there is a dormitory with four bunk bed for maximum eight people, and there is a room with hammocks.
Dormitory with hammocks
One of the weirdest combinations you can imagine is a set of cozy hammocks 12 meters under the ground in a former nazi bunker. It's one of the most unique places you can sleep for sure!
The layout of the two underground floors of Bunker L479
The coast of Saint-Pabu
This atypical accommodation is only 400 meters from the beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches.
42 Rue Avel Vor, 29830 Saint-Pabu, France
