Forgotten since the end of the Cold War, anti-atomic shelters have resurfaced in the news following the upheavals of the war in Ukraine. One thing is certain: these protective infrastructures are not really part of French culture. According to the company specializing in the construction of fallout shelters Artemis Protection interviewed by TF1, the country has only around a thousand of these shelters, including 600 for military use and 400 for private use. In total, they could only house 4% of the French population.
However, this does not prevent the country from having a good number of casemates, bunkers and other blockhouses inherited from the two world wars. The level of protection is not guaranteed, but these atypical goods arouse the curiosity of buyers. And some sell very well, especially when they are located on the coast. This is how this bunker in Erquy (Côtes-d'Armor) advertised at nearly 650,000 euros by the Espaces atypicals network sold for the price in 3 weeks. A set of three shelters, one of which is buried, without forgetting a plot of land by the sea of more than one hectare. “There were nearly 150 requests in the first week and we organized nearly 40 visits, explains Maryse Stourm, the real estate agent responsible for this sale. Besides, if the current sale were to fail, I even have a waiting list of buyers.”
History and a view
The reasons for this craze? “This type of property attracts a clientele keen on history and fond of atypical properties, underlines Maryse Stourm. And what's more, here, there is a breathtaking view from Cap Fréhel to the Saint-Michel islet in the heart of a preserved site classified as Natura 2000.” Although it is strictly impossible to create the slightest additional surface area in this protected site, the place which has been converted into a long-standing home was able to be completely renovated before the sale. Another Breton bunker which sold very quickly, despite very limited services: that of Plouézec (Côtes-d'Armor). Located on the port of Bréhec, it only has 7 m² and 1.85 m high ceilings but it also offers a sea view, a roof terrace and can almost serve as a beach hut, or even a microphone. -secondary residence since its owners sometimes slept there… And above all, it was offered at the contained price of 16,500 euros. Again, this German bunker without water or electricity attracted very high demand.
Conversely, blockhouses with a less exceptional situation seem more difficult to sell. Thus, the 1915 bunker located in Montdidier, in the Somme, has still been looking for a buyer for more than a year. Priced at 45,000 euros by the “building antique dealers” of the Denniel Immobilier agency, this astonishing construction combines brick and reinforced concrete. But it must be recognized that beyond an obvious historical interest, the property leaves little room for pleasure.
In a radically different genre, the Éperlecques blockhouse (Pas-de-Calais) is also looking for a buyer. This structure, presented as the largest construction of its type in the north of France, was transformed by its owner into a successful tourist site welcoming 50,000 visitors per year. Hubert de Mégille, who has kept this place of memory built in 1943 alive for 40 years, plans to hand over the reins. But to acquire this 75 meter long bunker, with a roof of 35,000 tonnes of reinforced concrete 5 meters thick, with the 40 hectares of forest which surround it would require a budget of at least 2 million euros. …
Located in the city
Sometimes these shelters are also located in the heart of communities or even cities and can be more easily habitable. This is the case of the Mauger house, in Bénouville, very close to Pegasus Bridge, the Mecca of the Landings. This residence, owned by the municipality for 20 years, combines a 160 m² house, a garage, 731 m² of garden in which there is a bunker. Estimated at 340,000 euros by France Domaine, this atypical property has just been sold for 272,300 euros. Priced at a much higher price, i.e. 786,000 euros, this 109 m² cottage located in the town of Guérande is simply nestled on a 400 m² bunker spread over two levels, which allows vehicles to be brought in or to carry out storage while waiting for a new buyer to rethink the use of the premises.
As for the small bunker at number 7 on rue Bossuet, in the heart of Brest, it should also change hands to be transformed into a home. Its owner for 33 years, who confided to Ouest-France that this type of property is “more annoying than anything else” put it on sale this summer. Taking advantage of the lifting of measures prohibiting any construction in this location, he hopes that this blockhouse planted between two houses can soon be transformed into a home.
