Bordeaux, the Armistice, and the remains of war in the Garonne
The armistice of June 22, 1940 marked a major turning point in French history during World War II. Bordeaux played an important role at the time, as the city temporarily hosted the French government before the German Occupation. Even today, traces of this period can still be seen in the Garonne River.
Bordeaux during World War II
In June 1940, as German troops advanced across France, the French government withdrew to Bordeaux. A few days later, the armistice was signed with Nazi Germany. During the Occupation, Bordeaux became a strategic port for the Germans, particularly with the construction of the submarine base in the Bassins à Flot district.
The ships sunk in the Garonne
In August 1944, before leaving Bordeaux, German forces sabotaged the port in order to slow the arrival of the Allied troops. Many ships were deliberately sunk in the Garonne River and in the Gironde estuary to block navigation routes. Some of these wrecks were never completely removed.
Remains still visible today
At low tide, it is still possible to spot debris and shipwreck remains in the Garonne. These vestiges are a reminder that Bordeaux was deeply affected by the war and the Occupation. Today, they stand as a silent memory of this period in history.
The armistice and World War II left a lasting mark on Bordeaux. Between the submarine base and the wrecks still resting in the Garonne, the city preserves several visible reminders of this historical past.
