Mémorial 39-45 de Saint-Malo, World War II museum in Fort d'Aleth, Saint-Malo, France

The Mémorial 39-45 is housed in German bunkers built in the courtyard of the 18th-century Fort d'Aleth on the Alet peninsula, in the Saint-Servan district. Its 600 m² interior spans about twenty rooms across several structures. The entrance, set into a grassy mound behind a low wooden fence and three flagpoles, bears a white sign reading "MEMORIAL 39-45"; two dark openings sit to its right.

The museum opened in 1994 to document Saint-Malo's wartime experience, particularly the fighting in 1944 when the city faced intense conflict. The bunker itself served as part of the German defensive line before the eventual liberation.

The two guided tours split the subject: the "History" tour in the anti-aircraft bunker covers the 1940 invasion, the use of the port, bunker construction, the Cité d'Alet, the battle for the Liberation, Cézembre and the Reconstruction. The "Fortifications" tour covers the 18th-century fort, the steel close-defence turrets and the restored artillery command post.

Visits happen only as part of guided groups, which keeps the experience controlled and allows you to learn the stories firsthand. Wear solid shoes since you will descend steep stairs and the underground areas can be damp.

The second guided tour, focused on the fortifications, reaches a machine-gun bunker refitted with its original equipment and the artillery command post, restored with funds from the Loto du Patrimoine heritage lottery. The 18th-century fort's steel close-defence turrets stand nearby.