Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen)
Esplanade Général Eisenhower, Caen, Normandy
Located a short drive from the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) puts one of the most significant battles of World War II into historical context. The museum gardens serve as a poignant tribute to the international soldiers that lost their lives on Norman soil.
Interactive exhibitions and multimedia displays take visitors through the events of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and offer a wider look at the key events of WWI and II, and the Cold War. Museum highlights include the immersive 360° movie ‘Europe Our History’; the command post of General Major Wilhelm Richter, located in a tunnel beneath the museum; and three memorial gardens devoted to the American, British, and Canadian troops. Explore on a self-guided tour or opt for a guided tour for deeper insight.
Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) is a must for those interested in Normandy’s WWII history.
Leave yourself at least two hours to explore the museum’s many exhibitions.
Audio guides are available in multiple languages including French, English, and German.
The museum has a restaurant, café, gift shop, and picnic areas.
Caen Memorial Museum is accessible to travelers in wheelchairs and strollers.
The museum is located along the main N814 road, a 10-minute drive from downtown Caen. Bus number 2, which also departs from downtown Caen, stops right outside the museum.
The museum is open daily year-round, though opening hours vary throughout the year; it’s sometimes closed on Mondays in low season. Peak summer months bring large crowds so plan an early morning or late afternoon arrival to avoid large groups.
Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) is one of a number of Normandy museums that focus on WWII and D-Day and provide additional context for travelers touring Normandy’s D-Day beaches, battle sites, and war cemeteries. The Arromanches 360° is a Circular Cinema experience that focuses on the Battle of Normandy; Utah Beach Museum follows the training and operations of American troops during the D-Day landings; and Juno Beach Museum looks at the role played by Canadian troops in the battles. Other notable museums include the D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches, the Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux, and the American Airborne Museum in Saint-Mere Eglise.
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