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Passive defense shelters are structures designed to provide protection against external hazards such as bombing and nuclear, biological or chemical threats. Their primary function is to provide a safe haven for people in the event of an emergency.

Anti-aircraft bunker

An air-raid shelter, very common in the French capital, is a structure designed to provide protection against air attacks, such as bombings, missile attacks or air raids. These shelters are specially built to withstand explosions and flying debris generated by air attacks, thus providing a safe haven for people during times of conflict or crisis. They can be specially built underground, in reinforced concrete, in old quarries after reinforcement, integrated into existing buildings or even be independent structures. They are generally equipped with ventilation systems, air filtration and backup generators to ensure prolonged autonomy in case of emergency.

Shelter trench

Semi-buried bunker

• Winkel Bunker

Also known as concrete cigars or sugar loaves, these semi-buried bunkers designed by Leo Winkel are not very common. There are said to have been 200 constructions exclusively in Germany by 1937. The sharp, steeply inclined roof was intended to provide a small attack surface for bombs and, in the event of an impact, to ensure that the bomb would slide off, if possible without exploding. On average, Winkel bunkers are 23 m high and have a base diameter of 11.5 m. The internal volume of the L.

Winkel tower was divided into nine floors: two underground and seven above ground. At the very bottom, it was planned to place a filter unit and other life support systems. The rest was given under the seats for people. The spiral staircases are to be moved to the center of the tower. The information on the lack of serious damage to the bomb shelters suggests a high efficiency of such a means of protection.

Bunker in the rock

Underground quarries were widely used as refuges during the war for several reasons. Unlike air raid shelters that were built or reinforced to withstand bombing raids, the purpose of these quarries was to provide an immediate and cost-effective solution for protection, particularly far from major cities.

First of all, limestone or gypsum quarries are soft and easy to extract, which led to the creation of vast networks of underground quarries in many regions (Île-de-France, Normandy, etc.). These quarries were often located at a significant depth below the surface, providing natural protection against aerial bombardment and ground attacks.

These quarries were located on the outskirts of major cities and provided a nearby refuge for civilians. Their surface area allowed them to accommodate a large number of people and provide safe shelter for long periods of time.

In addition, underground quarries were generally well ventilated, allowing occupants to breathe easily and reducing the risks associated with asphyxiation or air pollution.

These underground shelters were rudimentary and damp, but they provided close and effective protection during air raids, even over several days. This is why it is quite possible to find graffiti made with charcoal or charcoal left by the populations who occupied these places, alongside the graffiti left by mushroom growers. These graffiti represent scenes from their daily lives or more exceptional events, such as paratroopers on the landing beaches or bombers.