Top Things to do in Calvados
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10 Museums in Calvados That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Calvados, France including Pegasus Memorial, Memorial de Caen, Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, Juno Beach Centre, Musee Baron Gerard, Batterie Allemande de Longues-Sure-Mer, Musee du debarquement, Musee de la Batterie de Merville, Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema.
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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. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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
7. Batterie Allemande de Longues-Sure-Mer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,140 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelMc777 - Sunnyvale, United States
The gun batteries are in relatively good condition. You can enter into the bunker and gain an interesting perspective from behind the canons. There is also a forward bunker you can visit and enter. I found it to be a somber and fascinating visit. I walked/visited it alone and preferred taking my time at each site. Tours add to historical knowledge and take away from the experience.
8. Musee du debarquement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,950 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelMc777 - Sunnyvale, United States
The museum concentrates on the D-day landing and the vital role this bay contributed. There is an amazing working model about 50 feet long of the supply bridge. It is an engineering masterpiece. It was absolutely fascinating. Highly recommended and so educational. There are regular tours at different times in different languages - excellent, to the point, and will add dramatically to your knowledge(I joined in the midstream and am so glad I did).
9. Musee de la Batterie de Merville
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 767 reviews
Reviewed By mcburgess2001 - Wimbish, United Kingdom
I visited the Merville Battery with 27 work colleagues as part of a battlefield study. I had visited several years earlier but was extremely impressed with the new additions and update. The DC10 addition adds a new dimension and the photos of the crew on its reveal was quite moving. The film footage within the bunker was extremely poignant and again added to the whole experience. What a feat of heroism in its day.
10. Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,006 reviews
Discover the visualy stunning film. The latest special effects, combined with outstanding archive footages, make this film absolutely unmissable. This film projected in HD on 9 screens tells the story of the terrible Battle of Normandy trough archive images gathered from around the world. This film is a tribute to soldiers from all countries and to the 20.000 civilians who were killed during this battle for the liberation of Europe, battle which gave rise to so much hope.
Reviewed By WarrenS1144
The museum shows a short movie on screens that surround you - although it feels a bit overwhelming at times, it is very good and a perfect adjunct to a tour of the D Day beaches and historical sites. Being on the beaches is amazing but there is such value in watching the news reels of the time, it is really evocative. Well worth it!
