Saint-Nazaire submarine base, Maritime museum in Saint-Nazaire, France.
The Saint-Nazaire submarine base is a massive reinforced concrete structure roughly 300 meters long and 130 meters wide sitting on the Atlantic coast, now serving as a museum and art gallery. The building is divided into multiple chambers and contains exhibition spaces spread across different levels.
German forces constructed this U-boat shelter between 1941 and 1942 with 14 storage compartments for submarines. After the war, it was gradually transformed and now serves as a museum and exhibition venue.
The site now contains several exhibition spaces, including the Escal'Atlantic museum dedicated to ocean liners and the LiFE contemporary art gallery set within the former submarine pens. Visitors can experience how this military space has been transformed into a cultural destination.
Access to the exhibition spaces involves walking through narrow passageways, and visitors can enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop platform. It's best to wear comfortable shoes, as the pathways are uneven and multiple levels require exploration.
Eight of the chambers functioned as dry docks for boats, while six additional chambers could remain filled with water. This technical layout allowed different vessels to be stored and serviced simultaneously.
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