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Hidden Bunker beneath the Gare de l'Est, the Well-Kept Secret of the Capital

undefined undefined 17 mai 2023 undefined 09h50

undefined undefined 28 décembre 2023 undefined 15h57

The Editor

© SNCF / Sébastien Godefroy

The basements of Paris never cease to surprise us... Under the tracks of the Gare de l'Est, a 120m2 bunker dating back to World War II has been found intact. And it's a well-kept secret, or almost.

July 20, 1939. At the dawn of World War II, the SNCF, created in 1938, decided to build a bunker under the East Station. In this tense period, a Plan B to manage the station and train movements in case of bombing seemed very wise. However, the construction will be completed in 1941 and the Germans will requisition the place. As a result, we have a real bunker like in the movies, but under our feet, in the heart of the capital. The blockhouse can accommodate up to 70 people and has 10 rooms, including 3 main ones with a telephone exchange, a machinery room, and a control post. Completely sealed thanks to three armored doors made of reinforced concrete., it can withstand any bombardment or gas attack. It also has an electric generator that recycles air and two stationary bikes to power small generators in the event of a system failure.

The mystery finally lies in the actual use of the bunker... German inscriptions on the walls prove that they occupied the place, but for what purpose? With furnished rooms and phones still connected, the bunker is so well preserved that it's hard to believe. Entering the secret bunker is like taking a completely crazy and impressively futuristic leap in time. Not open to the public, this unique space only reveals its secrets a few days a year, especially during Heritage Days. Stay tuned, if you're not claustrophobic...

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Une publication partagée par Yann Bambou (@ylp56)

Bunker de la Gare de l’Est – 10e
Entre les voies 3 et 4

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