Construction of support point Stp.121 1942-1943 (≈ 1943)
Erection of German defenses at Barfleur.
6 juin 1944
Allied landing in Normandy
Allied landing in Normandy 6 juin 1944 (≈ 1944)
Context of the near liberation.
24 juin 1944
Barfleur release
Barfleur release 24 juin 1944 (≈ 1944)
Port used by Americans.
juin 1944
Construction of American bits
Construction of American bits juin 1944 (≈ 1944)
Allied logistics developments in the port.
23 décembre 2024
Historic Monument Protection
Historic Monument Protection 23 décembre 2024 (≈ 2024)
Registration of remnants of war.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The German anti-tank wall and the American infrastructures of the port located on the Port and the Cracko, remains of the Second World War, on plots No. 39, 260, 259, 256, 251, 255, 197, appearing in the cadastre section AD as well as the elements of the non-cadastral port located on the public harbour estate, as represented on the plan annexed to the decree: inscription by decree of 23 December 2024
Key figures
Soldats américains (1944) - Authors of the inscriptions on the bittes
Original engravings dated 1944.
Francis Perrin - High Commissioner for Atomic Energy
Considered a power plant at Barfleur in 1964.
Origin and history
The German anti-tank wall and the American infrastructure of Barfleur are among the military remains of the Second World War still visible in this Norman port. These constructions are part of the Atlantic Wall, built by German forces to counter possible allied invasion. In Barfleur, the Stp.121 support point was designed to defend the port entrance and access to the south beach, anticipating an ally landing. This defensive system included two casemates (Regelbau 677 and 667), six Bf.58c tobrouks, a Ringstand 1694 encumbrance, and a VF/Skoda gun. An imposing anti-tank wall, starting from the Cracko dam, flanked the southern part of the port.
The American infrastructure, for its part, dates back to June 1944, when American troops immediately used the port of Barfleur for logistical purposes after the Liberation. Although this small fishing port was only accessible at high tide, it was used for unloading coastal vessels carrying equipment and food. The Americans built six concrete moorings, much more imposing than the old ones, one of which still carries inscriptions of American soldiers engraved in 1944. These vestiges thus materialize both the German occupation and the Allied reconquest, two key phases of the Battle of Normandy.
The German yard is not exactly dated, but it is likely that it started in 1942 or 1943 as part of the general reinforcement of coastal defences ordered by the Third Reich. After the Liberation of Barfleur on 24 June 1944, the port was quickly redeveloped to support the allied logistics effort, illustrating its strategic role despite its modest size. Today, these elements are protected as historical monuments, testifying to the recent military history of the region and its involvement in the events of 1944.
Barfleur, with its typical grounding port and its preserved architectural heritage, offers a striking contrast between its glorious medieval history and its discreet but crucial role during the Second World War. The presence of these remains, next to the granite houses of the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries and the church of Saint Nicholas, recalls the superimposition of the epochs and stakes that marked this coastal village. These military infrastructures, although less well known than the Disembarkation beaches, constitute a major historical heritage to understand the preparations and local consequences of the Liberation.
