The Atlantic wall, a photo from Aquitaine, Ouest

Photographer's Note

So we were allowed to leave our homes and rediscover the world around us. I took the best of a sunny day to visit again the Cap Ferret peninsula where lots of blockhaus of the WW II still remain. Due to the coastal erosion (about 3 meters/year ie roughly 240 in 80 years!), the blockhaus established at the back of the sand dunes are now slipping on the slope and even on the beach.

From WIKIPEDIA: The Atlantic Wall was an extensive system of coastal defence and fortifications built by Nazi Germany between 1942 and 1944, along the coast of continental Europe and Scandinavia as a defence against an anticipated Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe from the United Kingdom, during World War II. The manning and operation of the Atlantic Wall was administratively overseen by the German Army.
Massive numbers of workers were needed. The Vichy regime imposed a compulsory labour system, drafting some 600,000 French workers to construct these permanent fortifications.

2 other pictures in WS

tyro, tyro, pajaran, jean113, jean113, jemaflor trouve(nt) cette note utile

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Royaldevon (75378) 2020-06-07 6:20

Hello Claude,

The WW II gun turret may not be a piece of outstanding architecture but it has been very important in your photograph, anchoring the f/g and dominating it, with its concrete presence and huge shadow.

It contrasts hugely with the free, relaxed b/g.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

tyro (30513) 2020-06-07 8:52

Bonjour Claude,

How interesting that Jean (jemaflor) must have been here at almost the same time as you! But, apart from that, these are three fabulous photographs - and any one of these three would have made a wonderful upload for TE in its own right!

You have given us an interesting note about these coastal defences, built by the Nazis at a time when your country and people were suffering so dreadfully.

Your main photograph is superb, the distant view along the coastal sands framed by a massive block of concrete hovering above your head in the foreground while one or two sparse people are seen in the distance at the water's edge.

And, as I say, your workshop photographs are excellent too, the bold and colourful graffiti brightening up these dreadful memories of war.

Excellent!

Kind Regards,

John.

BennyV (32570) 2020-06-07 11:26

Not just a beach picture, but one with a (hi)story!
Lovely work, Claude.

Cheers from Belgium

Benny

jean113 (22029) 2020-06-07 12:17

Hello Claude, this point of view with a part of the blockhaus in the immediate foreground, and its imposing shadow really emphasise just what it was there for, the Atlantic Wall.
All three shots are excellent. The blue Atlantic and the golden sand, beautiful.
Kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (21341) 2020-06-07 13:20

Dear Claude,

I have been in the nearby in 2012, but I had to dispense with visiting it in the end. The place is still on my bucket list. Thanks to you I didn't forget it!

Thanks for sharing!
Best Wishes,
Gy.

jemaflor (135404) 2020-06-07 23:27

Salut Claude,
Tiens, nous sommes dans la présentation de ces plages océanes avec ces vestiges qui à défaut d'être très esthétiques peuvent fournir d'intéressants sujets photos ... bien ici la diagonale avec cette ombre, bien aussi ces deux plans avec cet horizon, bientôt cette construction va basculer ..

emka (152182) 2020-06-07 23:53

Hello Claude,

Interesting discoveries. Nice picture of this beach, still empty although you are allowed to travel. I like also the workshop pictures with the graffiti on the blocks.
best regards MAlgo