Military Museums and Collections — France
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Carentan was a key objective for the American paratroopers who were to link up with the American troops who had landed at Omaha and Utah Beach. The American troops finally took Carentan on June 12, 1944, but were blocked at Donville by the SS of the 17th Panzer Grenader Division and the German paratroopers of the 6th Regiment called "the Green Devils." Then a bloody battle began at the Donville manor, which was recaptured several times by the Americans, culminating on June 13, 1944. Hand-to-hand combat took place in the manor, which still bears the gruesome traces of it (traces of blood on the floors).

0233 420 322 or 0647 510269 Franck Feuardent Website

This museum is based on personal stories and donations from Allied WW2 veterans, which makes this museum one of the most personal museums in Normandy. Very much worth a visit when you're in Normandy. Unique collection of uniforms and objects used during the Battle of Normandy. Personal stories of the liberators. Beautiful dioramas which take you through time and history. Shop with original World War II memorabilia.

0033(0) 231 216149 Hans Kok Website

With a collection of nearly 70,000 items and documents telling the daily lives of soldiers and civilians between 1914 and 1918, the Great War Museum in Meaux is an unmissable site to discover history. This Museum of history and society presents an international vision of the First World War through a major collection of great variety, spread across more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space. Suitable for all aged 5 and upwards, the exhibition trail, multimedia installations and immersive technology take visitors on a journey back in time to discover the changes in technology, society and medicine of the 20th century.

0033 (0)1 60 32 14 18 Musee De La Grande Guerre Website

1942 Hitler orders the construction of the first launch base for the V2 secret weapon at Eperlecques. This construction site of one hectare of concrete bombarded on August 27, 1943 was abandoned in 1944. Today this historical park (deportation wagon, V1&V2 ramp, guns and military equipment, etc.) allows a fun and instructive visit with sound in 9 languages.

0321 88 44 22 Le Blockhaus d’Eperlecques Web Site

The D-Day Collins Museum is located in the Chateau of Franquetot. This was the command post of General Collins' 7th US Army Corps in July 1944 from where he prepared Operation Cobra with Generals Eisenhower, Bradley and Patton. We also offer Bed and Breakfast as the perfect base for your Normandy tour.

0233 208836 or 0681 936351 Phillipe Tanne Website

Situated on Utah Beach, this museum tells the story of the American Utah Beach landings that were so vital to D Day and the link up with the US airborne troops through a chronological tour, immerse yourself in the history of the D-Day landings and discover a collection rich in objects, vehicles, equipment and testimonies. See an authentic B26 bomber, an exceptional aircraft of which there are only a few left in the world, and relive the epic of the American soldiers through the film Victory Beach.

02 33 71 53 35 Musee Du Debarquement Utah Beach Website

The Grand Bunker at Ouistreham is a truly unique museum - set on 5 floors of this important bunker that saw history made on D Day. Completely restored, it features engine rooms, filter rooms flanking casemates, chamber, infirmary, armory, radio transmission room and observation post. Plus a room dedicated to the 2 million slave labourers who were forced to work on Hitler's Atlantic Wall.

02 31 972869 The Grand Bunker Museum Website

Located close to the famous "Omaha Beach", on the D514 facing the roundabout that provides access to the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer. Overlord Museum chronicles the period of the Allied landing until the liberation of Paris. Personal items from individual soldiers and armoured fighting vehicles from the six armies in Normandy are in a series of dioramas showing over 35 vehicles, tanks and guns.

0033 (0)231 220055 Overlord Museum - Omaha Beach Website

Since June 2019, D-Day Experience offers the possibility to enter a new dimension: discover our 3D movie theater and relive the events of June 6, 1944 through a 36-minute long documentary dedicated to the invasion, which focuses on the decisive battle for Carentan in its second part.

0033 (0) 233 23 6195 D-Day Experience Website

The Mémorial Pégasus is dedicated to 6th British Airborne Division which landed on the eastern flank of the D-Day Beaches on 6th June 1944. Thousands of artefacts are presented, many donated to the museum by Veterans and their families. On display in the park of the museum, along with a full size copy of a Horsa Glider, is the original Pegasus Bridge, liberated by the airborne forces on D-Day.

0033 (0)231 78 19 44 Mémorial Pégasus Website

Normandy Victory Museum recently opened its doors. This highly innovative museum is situated near Carentan and Utah Beach and is an essential part of your Normandy D Day visit.

0233 717494 Normandy Victory Museum Web Site

One of Normandy's best kept secrets! A wonderful museum focused on the liberation of the Periers sector of Normandy, showing of the battle of the road to the hospital, the last German line of defence held by the 2nd SS Pz Division, the most terrible fights of all the war for the men of the 359th Rgt of the 90 Infantry Division.

0607 478332 Cobra - Le Percee Museum Website

Normandy's best kept secret. This wonderful and unique museum at Saint Martin Des Besaces tells the story of Operation Bluecoat and in particular the bloody fighting around the village which led to the British 11th Armoured breakthrough across the "Bridge of Bulls".

0033(0)2 31 67 52 78 Musee 44 La Percee Du Bocage Website