Are you a devoted history enthusiast? Or maybe a sworn World War II archives fanatic? A well-known odd architecture fancier? An adventurer and a famous thrill seeker? Or just a connoisseur of underground European art?

The BETASOM Submarine Base in Bordeaux will undoubtedly fascinate you if you happen to recognize yourself among the lines above. So here is a brief summary of everything you need to know about this intriguing and unusual tourist destination.

Get to know the history behind the place

• BETASOM Submarine Base was established by the Italian navy forces, a.k.a Regia Marina Italiana in August 1940 during World War II.
• It was a departing point for the Italian submarines, which engaged in the Battle of the Atlantic against the Allies. 
• Back in the days, BETASOM and its barracks could house up to 30 submarines, as well as approximately 250 men.
• The base would maintain its operation until September 8th, 1943. That is when, after the Italian cease-fire, BETASOM was occupied by the Germans.
• The submarine base has a total space of 42,000 square meters, 12,000 square meters of which is nowadays open to the public.

What to expect from your visit

• Nowadays, BETASOM Submarine Base operates as a weirdly fascinating cultural center. It hosts various exhibitions, artistic events, underground performance art happenings, opera, and jazz concerts, contemporary dance, and more.
• The opening hours of the base are from 8.30 AM to 5.30 PM every day, except for official holidays.
• Children can enter BETASOM free of charge, while adults will have to pay 5 € for an entry ticket.
  
  

Visitors of BETASOM are generally overwhelmed by the spirit, the atmosphere, and the vitality around the enormous assemblage of concrete, steel, and water.

The truth is that the area is not re-suited as a buzzing tourist location and is instead preserved in its original form. So, you better do not expect any epic entertainment options. You should slightly readjust your expectations and go for discovering the authentic, dark, and obscure World War II spirit that still floats around like a veil – separating past and present, reality and fiction, history and fantasy.

If you want to witness, experience, or participate in one of the various cultural happenings inside BETASOM, you can previously check the cultural calendar of the place by contacting the Tourist Information Office of the city of Bordeaux.