Île Longue

Île Longue is a peninsula near Crozon featuring a rocky plateau surrounded by steep cliffs that overlook two bodies of water. It extends between the Bay of Roscanvel on one side and the Fret cove on the other.

During World War I, the peninsula served as an internment camp holding German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners. The installations built then reveal how the site became important for military control during that conflict.

Three villages once thrived here in the 19th century where people farmed grains and raised livestock as their way of life. The rural rhythm of those communities shaped the land for generations before the military arrived.

Access to the site is restricted because it serves as a military installation for France's nuclear submarine operations. The area remains off-limits to regular visitors due to its sensitive security status.

The installation holds 24 vertical missile silos arranged across the peninsula and operates under a color-coded three-zone security system. Each colored zone handles a different function: personnel areas, nuclear storage, and submarine operations.

Location: Crozon

Inception: 1965

Website: http://defense.gouv.fr/marine/dossiers/l-ile-longue

GPS coordinates: 48.30833,-4.50250

Latest update: December 17, 2025 10:45