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Top 10 Military Museums in France, France
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1. Musee de la Resistance et de la Deportation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
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. Fleury
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
Reviewed By iWiebe - Utrecht, The Netherlands
The only thing left from this tiny village is its streetplan now converted to paths among littele signs pointing out the location of the buildings. The rest is completely obliterated, a very sobering experience.
5. La Coupole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,335 reviews
A secret base at the heart of Second World Wae history...A real underground town, constructed in 1943 and 1944 by the German army to go ahead with the launch V2 rockets on London, La Coupole is an exceptional site on which the destiny of Europe could have been played out...Today, it is an astonishing museum, a centre to gain an understanding of the historical and scientific stakes at play during the Second World War, from Occupation to the hidden face of space conquest. New! La Coupole now houses a revolutionary 3D planetarium. Sit insite the massive 360° room wearing your active 3D glasses and travel thtough the universe...
Reviewed By masonap - Gloucester, United Kingdom
Fantastic experience, lots to see and do, the inside of the dome is huge. Not just WW11 stuff but modern space stuff too. Multimedia audio-visual displays in English, French, Dutch and German. Also a planetarium which was fascinating (though unfortunately not in English).
6. 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.
7. Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,647 reviews
Located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin, the "Madeleine" beach went into history a Tuesday of June 1944. 75 years after, the Utah Beach Landing Museum invites you to walk along paths of our liberators.
Reviewed By DiggoryLondon
Probably the most impressive museum we visited during our tour of the five D Day beaches. From the museum it is only a 100 yard walk to the beach. Once again if you stand and overlook the beach you realise just how exposed the attacking force was especially with regard to cover from the terrain. There are plenty of monuments and viewing points to enable you to see the whole of the beach area. The museum was very impressive the presentation was excellent and it provided a great deal of information to support the exhibits. There is a completed B26 Marauder that l have never seen before which enhanced the visit. Entrance fee 8 Euros very reasonable. Would definitely return again.
8. Carriere Wellington
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,480 reviews
Enter one of the most secret place of military history, and discover a real underground town, where more than 20 000 soldiers of the Commonwealth prepared the most surprising attack of WW1.
Reviewed By Apfm141 - Walsall, United Kingdom
A must see! Visited here on a quiet Sunday in September after a visit to Point Du Jour cemetery to see a grave of a relative who fought in Arras in the first world war. We came here after wanting to experience a little of what they went through during that time. We were not disappointed. We had a friendly greeting upon entering, reasonably priced and waited 20 minutes for the next tour, and was then set up with a helmet and audio guide in the desired language. Were were then greeted by our excellent tour guide who flicked between French and English to accommodate the group and took us 20 metres underground listening to the audio guide and tour guide which worked perfectly. It was a great experience, very informative and would definitely recommend.
9. Musee National de la Marine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 517 reviews
Reviewed By Caramac2018 - Wales, United Kingdom
So much to see in this marvellous museum I had to go back a second time to see it all. Lots of extraordinary, traditional exhibits with meaningful explanations provided by the multilingual information devices. Very pleasant atmosphere and extremely educational and informative. The gift shop is small but has some lovely pieces - reasonably priced.
10. Musee Maritime de La Rochelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 623 reviews
Reviewed By frankafile
Fascinating museum mainly on boats allowing lots of exploration. The big boat has an excellent bar and restaurant on the top deck.
