Cezembre (St. Malo)

Has anyone recently been to Cezembre (St. Malo)?

Saw a documentary on National Geographic. It looked interesting but they also mentioned that only 5% of the island can be visited. Wondering how much of the Nazi fortifications you can actually see.


Thanks!

 

Unfortunately not. But I might visit the place next time I go to Guernsey.
Typically I stay in St. Malo the night before and just walk around.
But Cezembre looks interesting.
Stefan.

 

Just checked, and it seems that most of the island cannot be visited, because of mines.
Stefan.

 

Correct. And the few pictures on the internet seem to be taken from far away.

Cezembre (2026) - Alles wat u MOET weten voordat je gaat (met foto's) - Tripadvisor

 

See for history and current warnings: Cézembre - Wikipedia

Plus a lot of YT clips: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=cezembre

See: Bombardment of Cezembre Island

 

The Germans created the rock outpost of Ile de Cezembre as a festung.It was a stumbling block to US forces taking St Malo and Dinard by its shelling the mainland.

Consequently, the festung was shelled by US ground forces and heavily bombed by the USAAF in order for their land forces to take the mainland within the range of its artillery.

ATB history magazine ran a very good article on the taking of the area some years ago. The reason for restricted visiting given as I remember was unexploded ordnance. There are numerous memorials around St Malo, particularly in what is now a caravan park to young FFI fighters who fell during the battle.St Malo as can be imagined was virtually destroyed.

I see David has picked up a debate on the subject from a few years ago...thanks for the reference.

Postwar, the old town, the"Intra Muros" has been magnificently restored to its former glory. Brittany Ferries run a good Portsmouth/St Malo service.