Hangar n° 2
MonumentHidden Treasure
Hangar n° 2, located in Monterblanc (Département 56), is a modern edifice built in the 19th-20th centuries. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Modern (19th-20th century)
- Location
- Monterblanc, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.7299, -2.7188
- Mérimée Reference
- PA56000143
An emblematic vestige of Breton military aviation, Hangar 2 at Monterblanc embodies the industrial aeronautical architecture of the 1930s and 1940s, a silent witness to the troubled times of the Second World War.
History
Standing in the Morbihan region, at Monterblanc, Hangar No. 2 is one of the few remaining architectural reminders of French military aviation between the wars still standing in Brittany. Listed as a Historic Monument by decree on 30 December 2024, this industrial building is emerging from oblivion to finally be recognised as a heritage site of prime importance, illustrating a little-known but decisive page in France's aeronautical and military history. What makes this hangar unique is precisely its discretion: unlike the medieval fortifications or castles that dot the Breton landscape, it belongs to a generation of utilitarian architecture that has long been neglected. Its imposing volumes, designed to house military aircraft, nevertheless reveal a remarkable technical mastery of the metal or reinforced concrete structures characteristic of this period of accelerated modernisation of the French air force. To visit Hangar 2 is to enter an atmosphere steeped in industrial and military history. The vast, uncluttered interior invites you to imagine mechanics working on reconnaissance or fighter aircraft, engines whirring in the damp Morbihan air. The special acoustics of these large metal volumes, and the play of light filtering through zenithal or lateral openings, give the visit an almost archaeological dimension. The surrounding area, marked by the gentle topography of central Brittany, offers a striking contrast between the functional brutality of the building and the serenity of the Morbihan bocage. For those with a passion for military history, industrial architecture or simply unusual heritage, this site represents an authentic discovery, far off the beaten tourist track.
Architecture
Hangar no. 2 at Monterblanc belongs to the large family of military aircraft hangars built in France in the 1930s, whose functionalist aesthetic was primarily designed to meet strict operational requirements. The structure is characterised by a single, long-span aisle that can accommodate several aircraft abreast without interrupting the internal load-bearing capacity. This type of construction favoured metal frames or reinforced concrete porticos, techniques that were flourishing at the time, capable of spanning 30 to 50 metres without intermediate support. The exterior shell was typical of military structures built between the wars: plain façades, devoid of superfluous ornamentation, organised around large bay windows or skylights providing natural lighting for the workspace. The large front façade, opened by a large sliding or tilting gate, is the most spectacular architectural feature, designed to accommodate the outstretched wings of the aircraft. The roof, with its two or four slightly sloping sides, is designed to drain off rainwater quickly while minimising the wind load. Inside, the volume is remarkable for its scale and structural clarity: metal trusses and concrete arches punctuate the nave, revealing a mastery of industrial engineering. The smooth concrete floor reflects the constraints of intensive use. The whole building is a rare and authentic example of French military aeronautical architecture from the first half of the twentieth century, a pivotal period between the pioneers of aviation and the era of the great bombers.
Related Figures
Général Joseph Vuillemin — chef d'état-major de l'Armée de l'Air (1938-1940), dont les décisions d'équipement et d'infrastructure concernèrent directement les bases bretonnesPierre Cot — ministre de l'Air (1933-1934 et 1936-1938), artisan de la modernisation du réseau des bases aériennes françaises incluant celles du MorbihanOfficiers de la Luftwaffe — commandants successifs de l'aéronautique d'occupation en Bretagne durant la période 1940-1944Résistants morbihannais — agents du réseau Shelburn et autres filières qui surveillaient et sabotaient les activités aériennes allemandes dans la région vannetaiseIngénieurs du Génie de l'Air — corps technique responsable de la conception et de la construction des infrastructures aéronautiques militaires françaises de l'entre-deux-guerres
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hangar n° 2 located?
Hangar n° 2 is located in Monterblanc, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Hangar n° 2 built?
Hangar n° 2 dates back to a period built in the modern era (19th-20th century).
Is Hangar n° 2 open to visitors?
Hangar n° 2 is currently closed to visitors.
