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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Ecqueville artillery battery, located in Octeville-sur-Mer, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, is an integral part of the German defensive system known as the Atlantic Wall. Built during the 2nd quarter of the 20th century, it consists of more than 30 works, including encumbrances, shelters, four casemates type R 671 (launched in 1943), a fire direction post, ammunition shelters type R 607 as well as a life base package including infirmary, barracks and staff shelters. Many of these structures are connected by underground galleries, and some retain traces of camouflage, paintings or inscriptions left by German soldiers.

The battery, located north of the fortress of Le Havre, was bombarded little in 1944, which explains its remarkable state of conservation. All remaining surface and underground elements (excluding current dwellings) were listed as historical monuments by order of 27 November 1996. This site bears witness to German military architecture during the Second World War and its integration into the Normandy coastal landscape.

The precise coordinates of the site, according to the Mérimée base, are located at 67 Bis Rue d'Ecqueville, in the commune of Octeville-sur-Mer (code Insee 76481). Although some parts of the site are still visible, their GPS location is classified as satisfactory a priori (level 6), and photographic credits under Creative Commons license document its current state.

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