Top Things to do in Basse-Normandie
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10 History Museums in Basse-Normandie That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Basse-Normandie, France including Pegasus Memorial, Manoir de Donville, Memorial de Caen, Musee des Beaux-arts, Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, Juno Beach Centre, Musee Baron Gerard, D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum), Airborne Museum.
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1. Pegasus Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,052 reviews
A memorial to the first British soldiers to arrive in Normandy who captured the Pegasus Bridge from the Nazis.
Reviewed By lizanneSurrey - Woking, United Kingdom
This is an excellent museum with many artifacts from the D Day landings, with poignant reminders of sacrifices made both local people & troops. There is a large illuminated model of the area highlighted during an introductory talk prior to a film of the assault. It warrents more than one visit in order to take everything in. Very thought provoking.
2. Manoir de Donville
3. Memorial de Caen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,519 reviews
Located in the immediate vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, the Mémorial de Caen visitor centre is among the essential sites focusing on the Battle of Normandy and 20th century history. From the origins of the Second World War to the end of the Cold War, museographical displays tell this terrible side of 20th century history. Indeed, Caen, bombarded during the summer of 1944, a liberated yet martyred city, deserved a tribute well worthy of the suffering it endured. This is precisely the purpose of the Mémorial de Caen, but via a continuing perspective and action aimed at reconciliation.
Reviewed By nlansdell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This excellent museum charts the beginnings of, and causes behind, WW2 and the invasion of France - before detailing the events that led to its eventual liberation. It’s focus is on Normandy and Caen itself but it provides a good over view of the war in full and covers both the Pacific and African theatres. It also covers the holocaust. The material does not shy away from its subject and there are some graphic images of what took place and this includes film and pictures of dead combatants, hangings and executions - so please consider this if you are taking children. A film lasting 20 minutes brings everything together very well and I would recommend that not only that you do this at the end but that that you allow time for it. Your tickets last 24 hours so if you run out of time you can always pop back the next morning!
4. Musee des Beaux-arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
5. Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,825 reviews
Situated near the British Military Cemetery of Bayeux, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy narrates the battles which took place in Normandy after the D-Day landings, between 7th June and 29th August 1944. The collections of military equipment, the diorama and the archival films allow the visitor to grasp the enormous effort made during this decisive battle in order to restore peace in Europe.
Reviewed By Christine9046
Great museum, so much to see! Tons of artillery equipment, vehicles, artifacts, just amazing! All original from stuff left after the war since it was too costly to ship them back. TIP: buy the 3 museum tour for 15 € to save money. All the museums are close-by so you can do all 3 in a day. They are Tapestry, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, and Baron Gerard Art & Art history. Remember, all museums close between 12pm-2pm for lunch so be sure to start when they open at 9am and plan ahead so you can visit all 3. They close at 6pm. Shops close at 7pm so shop before eating dinner.
6. Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,062 reviews
This museum houses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-m long piece of embroidery that graphically tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.Listed UNESCO Memory of the World. Duration of visit about 1h30. Annual closure in January
Reviewed By joand143 - London, United Kingdom
Incredible visit Brings to life this amazing tapestry and the history behind it Beautifully presented and explained
7. Juno Beach Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,234 reviews
Canadian World War II memorial museum features interactive animations and a dramatic eight-foot bronze sculpture entitled "Remembrance and Renewal."
Reviewed By Calgarytraveller2 - Calgary, Canada
Being Canadian, we enjoyed getting the Canadian perspective (we stopped first at the war museum in Bayeux to get the big picture of all the Allied forces on D-Day). The displays were interesting, we really enjoyed the film as well as the underground tour of the tunnels and rooms. We also spent quite a bit of time out on the beach. The nearby Canadian war cemetery is also worth a stop. Very humbling and moving experience overall to think of the sacrifice they made for us. We will remember.
8. Musee Baron Gerard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
In the heart of the Episcopal palace of Bayeux, the MAHB reopened in 2013, provides a journey through history of art in Europe, from Archeology to Modern Art.-600 pieces of art with Impressionnist masterpiece of Gustave Caillebotte and Eugene Boudin-1000 pieces of Bayeux porcelain and lace-800 archeological and ethnographic pieces
9. D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,185 reviews
Discover D-Day Experience and its different areas made up of : two museums, an immersive and one of a kind attraction in the wolrd a memorial dedicated to the airborne troops» and a gift shop Set in the heart of a historical place, the site spans across 10,000 m2, thus inviting you to live an amazing experience that combines both educational and entertainment learning. Our site includes two museums dedicated to the airborne troops who fought during World War II, an airborne wall and two shops (militaria and gift shop). You can extend your visit with the historical route to retrace the steps of the men of the 101st division.
Reviewed By karinedY1590DD
Definitely a place to visit in Normandy! Great opportunity to salute and remember what 101st Airborne and the US Army did for us (I am French!), the flight simulator feels very realistic, the collection inside the museum is a very comprehensive one, with a very touching account of the stories of the jackets and other artifacts belonging to the guys, the medical equipment they used on the wounded, the planers, etc... I could go on for a while here! Dead's Man Corner is also very detailed, giving one a good idea of what it was like in the German camp.
10. Airborne Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,324 reviews
The Airborne Museum, situated in the square of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, a few miles from D-Day landing beaches, facing the church where John Steele famously was caught, relates the heroic adventure of paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. Through a spectacular museography, the Airborne Museum takes you through the D-Day alongside American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. From the invasion preparations in England through the battles for liberation, meet the Airborne troops and accompany them on their journey to Victory.
Reviewed By K3748JQchriss - Northwich, United Kingdom
This is a fabulous Museum, well presented, great detail of events and brought to life with good exhibits, it tells the story of the turning point of WW11 in great detail and imagery, Allow yourself plenty of time to read about this remarkable event in history, don't rush it, savour it.
