About this place
Audinghen, with its strategic location, had been heavily fortified by the Germans, which explains the presence of a blockhouse (one of their seven largest fortifications), now converted into a museum. This museum is located 1 km from Audinghen and is easily accessible via signs from Cap Gris-Nez.
Inaugurated on January 20, 1942, the battery was very active for the remainder of World War II, firing shells as far as the English coast. Historical reenactments will give you a sense of the harsh life led by German soldiers during that time.
The museum primarily features an impressive collection of weapons and uniforms (2,000 items), the highlight of which is a 280-mm German naval artillery gun, one of only 25 built by Krupp in 1942. It is one of the only such guns found in the world. Spread across ten rooms are numerous posters and various types of artifacts bearing witness to the atrocities of this dark period.
Next to the museum, the panoramic restaurant “La Sirène” serves as the starting point for several trails exploring the natural environment of Le Cap.