THE GUIDE REMEMBRANCE 2023
a key role in the liberation of Europe, thanks to its proximity to the strategic port of Cherbourg. At this museum, right on the beach, you’ll learn about the German defences, the strategy of the Allies, the naval landings, the air attacks and the land attack. Among the many items you’ll find on show is an original B26 bomber.
utah-beach.com
John Everiss designed the D-Day 75 Garden at Arromanches as a tribute to the heroes of D-Day
museum, the first to commemorate the D-Day landings. Now there’s a new building, which opened this year, featuring a cinema and exhibitions on the German occupation of Arromanches, the Allied invasion, the battle for Normandy and the key role that the nearby artificial harbour played in it.
musee-arromanches.fr
Mémorial Pegasus Ranville, Calvados
Inaugurated in 2000, this museum is dedicated to the heroic actions of Britain’s 6th Airborne Division, the Red Berets, who arrived by glider and parachute to capture bridges across the River Orne and the Caen Canal and to destroy the huge German guns. More than 2,000 men died in the process.
musee.memorial-pegasus.com
Centre de la mémoire d’Oradour Oradour-sur-Glane, Haute-Vienne The village of Oradour-sur- Glane was the site of one of France’s worst World War II atrocities. In 1944, after learning that an SS officer had been held captive here, the Germans brutally killed a total of 643 people, including over 200 children and razed much of the village to the ground. After the war, Charles de Gaulle decided Oradour-sur- Glane should never be rebuilt
122 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Oct/Nov 2023
– as a reminder of the cruelty of the occupying army. Today you can visit the Centre de la mémoire d’Oradour, as well as the ruined village itself. Prepare to be deeply moved.
www.oradour.org
Fort des Dunes Leffrinckoucke, Nord
This military fort, originally built in the 1870s, played a particularly significant role during World War II. Although much of what happened here was tragic, it’s an intriguing history all the same. During Dunkirk, dozens of French soldiers were killed here in German bombing raids and towards the end of the war, members of the Resistance were executed here by firing squad. Now dedicated to the key episodes in its history, the building features video installations and interactive displays. Open from mid- March until early November, Tuesday to Sunday.
fort-des-dunes.fr
Le Mémorial de Falaise Falaise, Calvados Open from Wednesday to Sunday, this museum is dedicated to the lives of civilians during World War II. Through dramatic film, photography and period exhibits, you will experience all aspects of wartime life in Normandy, ranging from city air raids and German
occupation, to the Resistance, the Jewish persecution and the eventual Allied liberation. It all makes for an intriguing and moving visit.
www.memorial-falaise.com
Omaha Beach Memorial Museum Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Calvados Located on the actual beach itself, this museum recounts in harrowing detail the events of June 6, 1944, through dioramas and an extensive collection of uniforms, vehicles and memorabilia. Open all year except for the months of November, December and January.
www.musee-memorial-omaha. com
Utah Beach Musée du Débarquement Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Manche Utah Beach – on the Cotentin Peninsula and the westernmost of the five D-Day landing zones – played
Juno Beach Centre Courseulles-sur-Mer, Calvados For D-Day, Juno was the name given to the stretch of coastline from Courseulles through to Bernières and Saint-Aubin. The taking of Juno Beach was the
responsibility of the Canadian forces and this centre celebrates their heroism. As well as presenting the story of this crucial theatre of war, this museum intimately touches upon the real lives of the 45,000 Canadian soldiers who died, through photographs, film, first-hand accounts and stories passed on through the generations. Guided tours of the beach and the remains of the Atlantic wall – courtesy of a Canadian guide – are available all year round, except in January.
www.junobeach.org
America and Gold Beach Museums Ver-sur-Mer, Calvados
The Gold Beach section of the museum commemorates the historic landings carried out by 69 brigade of 50th
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Pegasus Bridge, where the Red Berets’ heroism won through
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