The Normandy coast is steeped in poignant history, testimony to the events of June 6, 1944. Today, this region offers an abundance of museums dedicated to the D-Day landings, allowing us to plunge into the past and understand the sacrifices and heroism of the soldiers.
In this article, we will guide you through:
- our selection of the best landing museums
- a list of museums to be found at each landing beach
- a map for orientation
- practical tips for planning
Whether you’re a history buff, or simply a traveler looking for an enriching experience, these museums are a must for your stay in Normandy.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Best D-Day museums in Normandy: maps, interests
Map of our selection
It’s impossible to say which museums are the best, because it all depends on the subjects that interest you. But after visiting 90% of the D-Day museums in Normandy, the 7 that fascinated us most were..:
- Airborne MuseumUtah Beach), the most impressive visually
- Caen Memorial, a must-see and very comprehensive
- Overlord MuseumOmaha Beach) for tanks and artefacts
- D-Day Museum at Utah Beach, a classic with a comprehensive approach to every facet of the story.
- The Grand Bunker Sword Beach Beach), a unique opportunity to discover this immense high-rise bunker.
- Normandy Victory Museum for all life-size scenes
- Juno Center Museum for all interactive activities
We’ll explain why in the following sections.
Here’s a map to help you find your way.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Best museums for your interests
And according to your points of interest:
- Skydiving: Airborne Museum
- Canadian: Juno Center
- Tanks: Overlord
- Big Red One: Big Red One Museum
- Pegasus Bridge: Pegasus Memorial MuseumSword Beach)
- Engineering: D-Day Museum at Arromanches with temporary ports
- If you have very little time: go to the American cemetery, the small museum gives you an overview, and you can also visit the cemetery.
Note: D-Day Museum is now famous for its simulator. Personally, we preferred the experience at the Airborne Museum.
Excursions from Paris
If you’re visiting on a day trip from Paris, some tours include museums:
- With theUtah Beach Beach Landing Museum – see program
- WithOmaha Beach Beach American Cemetery and Juno Beach Center – see program
- With a Canadian focus and the Juno Beach Center – see the program
STAYING NEAR THE D-Day beaches
Option 1: Bayeux
The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base ourselves in the town of Bayeux. We recommend..:
- Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
- see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux
Option 2: in the countryside
In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…
- Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: next to one of the beaches
If you’re looking for a seaside holiday or are fascinated by one of the beaches, you can choose a more specific hotel:
- Hotel Villas d’Arromanches in Gold Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel La Sapinière in Omaha Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
1. Airborne Museum (Utah)
Why visit
The Normandy Airborne Museum is dedicated to the American paratroopers who arrived just as D-Day began.
The museum faces the church, which many will recognize because parachutist John Steele became famous for hanging from its steeple.
The museum has 3 buildings: WACO which focuses on gliders, C-47 which explains the preparations for D-Day and Operation Neptune to give you the experience of a night jump with their “hyperrealistic museography”.
See our article on the Airborne Museum.
What we liked best
We particularly appreciated the discovery of the American Waco glider in the first pavilion. We were lucky enough toboard the full-sizeplane and imagine ourselves in the shoes of American paratroopers. This is the only example in France of a Waco glider still in its entirety. Thanks to the Histopad (touchscreen tablet provided), we could even visualize ourselves at the controls of the machine!
In the C-47 building, we also loved the interactive staging. We were able to attend the briefing of the parachutists with a hologram more real than life, and prepare to jump with them.
Finally in the building “ Opération Neptune”, the passage through the 4D aircraft immersed us in the action. Through the mix of sounds, images and movements, we felt as if we were living the events from the inside!
Each pavilion offers a different experience that will appeal to all audiences. Reserve your place.
Practical information
- Location: Sainte-Mère-Église
- Allow half a day
- Open every day
- Every year, the museum closes in December and January.
- Book your ticket to save time
- Driving time from Bayeux: 40min
- Driving time from Caen: 1h
- official website here
2. Caen Memorial Museum
Why visit
The Caen Memorial Museum is considered the best World War II museum in France. You could spend a whole day on it, it’s so packed with information and features. It covers the landing but also the second world war as a whole.
In this enormous museum, you’ll find a German bunker, historical objects, vehicles, sound and video recordings…
What we liked best
- D-Day section with models, maps and objects
- Veterans’ testimonials
- The section on the Cold War, including comparisons of apartments and objects
- The bunker
- Peace gardens
- Book your ticket to save time
Practical information
- Location:
- The museum is huge, and if you read everything, it could take 2 days. Allow at least half a day, but there’s a restaurant inside if you want to stay all day.
- Open every day
- Closed in January
- Book your ticket to save time
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 0
- official website here
3. Overlord Museum (Omaha)
Why visit
The Overlord Museum is not on the beach, but is located just a few minutes’ drive fromOmaha Beach, in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Its name refers to Operation Overlord, the code name for the Allied invasion of the Normandy beaches.
The museum covers the D-Day landings through to the liberation of Paris. The collection was founded by a local who witnessed the war as a teenager.
This museum is famous for its tanks and armoured vehicles, and its impressive collection of artefacts showing the life of soldiers and not only the firearms aspect (documents, souvenirs, personal effects…).
What we liked best
- The magnificent collection of objects on display
- All the tanks and vehicles, once again in the spotlight
- Outdoor floats
- It’s a highly visual museum that’s easy to visit.
Practical information
- Location: Not far fromOmaha Beach
- Allow 2 hours to half a day, depending on your level of interest.
- Open every day
- Closed in January.
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
- official website here
4. Utah Beach Landing Museum
Why visit
Located on Utah Bach beach, theUtah Beach Beach Landing Museum is built on a German bunker.
It is organized chronologically, covering strategy, preparations, the history of D-Day (routes, liaison between divisions, etc.) and the outcome of the landing.
You’ll see plenty of objects and vehicles (including a B26 bomber), as well as a well-produced film.
What we liked best
- Its location directly on the beach
- The panoramic round room overlooking the beach and the defense system
- All information on strategy, models and maps
- The air force section with the aircraft
Practical information
- Location: onUtah Beach Beach
- Allow half a day to a full day, depending on your interest, to read all the panels.
- Open every day
- Book your ticket to save time
- Driving time from Bayeux: 45min
- Driving time from Caen: 1h
- official website here
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5. Museum le Grand Bunker (Sword)
Why visit
The Atlantic Wall Museum is also known as the Great Bunker.
It is located at Sword Beach (Ouistreham), at the easternmost point.
This museum is well worth a visit, not only for its connection of artifacts and information on the Atlantic Wall, but also for the uniqueness of its structure.
It is installed in a huge blockhouse which served as a center for the German command. From this place, they controlled all the batteries.
It was taken by the Allied forces on June 9, 1944 (by British Lieutenant Bob Orrell and his men).
The 5 floors show all the rooms and how operations were organized inside the bunker.
What we liked best
- The uniqueness of the museum in this giant bunker
- Staged rooms for a better understanding of life on the inside
- The strategic view from the top of the bunker
- The museum’s small size makes it easy to digest
- The “Saving Private Ryan” boat in the courtyard
- Read our article on visiting this museum
Practical information
- Location: Sword Beach Beach (town of Ouistreham)
- Lots of steps and little space. Not for people suffering from claustrophobia
- Open daily most of the year
- Open only on weekends in November and December, excluding school vacations.
- Closed in January
- Driving time from Bayeux: 35min
- Driving time from Caen: 20min
- official website here
6. Normandy Victory Museum (between Utah and Omaha)
Why visit
This museum was an excellent surprise. From the outside, it’s less imposing. But once inside, we were transported. The 27 scenes featuring the collection of over 15,000 objects and vehicles are excellent.
You’ll discover what life was like for soldiers and civilians during the 100 days following D-Day, and especially during the Battle of the Hedges.
For those who love highly visual museums, this is a must!
What we liked best
- Veteran testimonials
- Civilian scenes, a welcome change from war scenes
Practical information
- Location: Carentan-les-Marais, between Utah and Omaha Beach
- Open every day
- Closed in January and open only on weekends in November and December outside school vacations
- Buy your ticket to save time
- Driving time from Bayeux: 30min
- Driving time from Caen: 50min
- official website here
7. Juno Beach Center (Juno)
Why visit
The large Juno Beach Museum is located on the actual landing beach. It focuses on the contribution of Canadian troops during the D-Day landings and the entire Second World War.
You will also learn about life in Canada before, during and after the war.
See our article to plan your visit.
What we liked best
- All the interactive activities that young and old alike can enjoy: audio, visual, hands-on…
- Explanations of the wartime situation in Canada
- The discovery of Canada by its famous people at the end
Practical information
- Location: Juno Beach (town of Courseulles-sur-mer)
- Open every day
- Closed in January
- Driving time from Bayeux: 30min
- Driving time from Caen: 30min
- official website here
MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites
- The best landing sites to visit
- Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
- Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
- The best D-Day museums in Normandy
- German batteries to visit
- Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
- Visit Omaha Beach
- Visit Utah Beach
- Visit Gold Beach
- Visit Sword Beach
- Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)
The 5 museums in Utah Beach
Airborne Museum
See #1 in the list above.
Utah Beach Landing Museum
See #4 in the list above.
Normandy Victory Museum
See #6 in the list above.
World War 2 Museum (Utah Quineville)
This museum is a little out of the way, north ofUtah Beach, but we really liked it too. We loved the many scenes of civilian life and the view from the bunker. The collection of objects is extensive and the miniatures are excellent. Talk to the owner about how these miniatures are made, it’s fascinating!
- Location: Quineville, north ofUtah Beach
- Closed from December to March
- Driving time from Bayeux: 55min
- Driving time from Caen: 1h10
- official website here
D-Day Experience (between Utah and Omaha) + Dead’s Man Corner
The D-Day Experience Museum is famous for its flight simulator. In our opinion, the briefing is the best part of the flight simulator.
But there’s much more to the museum than its simulator: there’s a cinema section, a small museum in the Dead Man’s Corner house, and more.
- Location: Carentan-les-Maris (between Utah and Omaha Beaches)
- Closing days: open every day
- Driving time from Bayeux: 30min
- Driving time from Caen: 50min
- official website here
The 6 museums at Omaha Beach Beach
Overlord Museum
See #1 in the list at the top of this article.
American Cemetery Museum (Omaha)
The American cemetery is one of the most impressive of the Normandy landing sites. It leaves no one indifferent. But before visiting the tombs and monuments, if you don’t have the time to visit other museums, we recommend a visit to the Cemetery Museum. Few objects, but very interesting information about American troops and their equipment.
- Location: in the American cemetery, Omaha Beach
- Closing days: open every day
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 45min
Big Red One Assault Museum (Omaha)
It’s a tiny museum, but it’s truly dedicated to the Big Red One (the first American infantry division) and its history. The owner is an enthusiast and his collection is well diversified. We particularly enjoyed the intelligence reports and his explanations of how he found certain objects.
- Location: Colleville-sur-merOmaha Beach)
- Closed on Tuesdays and in winter
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 45min
- official website here
Omaha Beach Memorial Museum
Museum retracing the history of the American soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach. The museum is rich in objects and displays.
What sets it apart from other museums is the sheer quantity of photography on display.
- Location: Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
- Closing days: open every day but closed from November to January
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
- official website here.
D-Day Omaha Museum
The D-Day Omaha Museum (not to be confused with the D-Day Experience Museum) is a small museum with a lot of character.
The private collection is beautiful, with small pieces as well as larger ones.
However, if you want a lot of explanation, this isn’t the best choice. The pieces are displayed in large, unorganized showcases. But if you’re the kind of person who likes to rummage around for surprising objects, you’ll love it.
- Location: Vierville-sur-Mer
- Open daily in season
- Closed from December to March
- Opening in October and November is not systematic
- Driving time from Bayeux: 20min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
- official website here
Civil Museum before, during and after the war
For a change from the weapons of war, uniforms and tanks, discover this tiny museum with a fine collection of everyday objects (dating from before, during and after the war): kitchen and beauty items, clothes, children’s games…
- Location: Saint-Laurent-sur-mer, in a village farmhouse
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
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The 3 museums in Gold Beach Beach
Arromanches 360 (Gold)
It’s not really a museum, but it doesn’t fit into any category, so here it is. Arromanches 360 is a small theater using nine screens and archival images (from the USA, Canada, France and Great Britain).
This 360° view gives you the impression of being right at the heart of the action.
And we love its cliff-top location with views of Arromanches beach and the remains of the port.
- Location: Arromanches, by the beach
- Open every day
- Closed in January
- Buy your ticket to save time
- Driving time from Bayeux: 15min
- Driving time from Caen: 35min
- official website here
Musée du Débarquement d’Arromanches (Gold)
The Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches offers a very different view of the D-Day landings. It focuses on the creation of artificial harbors that facilitated the unloading of military vehicles (Mulberry Harbors).
Thanks to this British creation, they were able to unload 9,000 tons of material per day!
We really liked the models, which gave us a better understanding of how they worked.
In 2023, it moved to a new building, and we can’t wait to go back.
- Location: Arromanches, by the beach
- Open every day
- Closed in January
- Save time, buy your tickets
- Driving time from Bayeux: 15min
- Driving time from Caen: 35min
- official website here
America & Gold Beach Beach Museum
Small museum linked to the wartime experiences in Ver-sur-Mer: the first airmail link between the USA and Europe (Fokker America aircraft) and the British landings in the town.
Unfortunately, it’s one of the few we haven’t visited yet, as it was closed during our last visits.
- Location: Ver-sur-mer
- Closing days: almost every day from May to September
- Driving time from Bayeux: 25min
- Driving time from Caen: 35min
- official website here
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
Juno Beach Beach Museum
See #7 on the list at the top of this article: the Beach Museum Center, one of our favorite museums.
Otherwise, there are no other museums on the Juno side, but you will find: the beach with its bunkers and the Lorraine cross, the British memorial and the Canadian cemetery at Beny sur mer.
The 5 museums in Sword Beach
Museum le Grand Bunker (Sword)
See #5 on the list at the top of this article.
Radar 44 Museum
Another different subject linked to the Second World War and the D-Day landings. You can visit Sation Radar 44, the Franco-German Radar Museum.
The site played a major role during the war. You’ll learn about radar equipment and performance (and radar warfare), as well as the lives of German soldiers in the bunkers.
- Location: Douvres-la-Délivrande
- Closing days: open daily in July and August; open every day except Monday from April to October (approx.) and closed from December to March.
- Driving time from Bayeux: 35min
- Driving time from Caen: 25min
- official website here
Pegasus Memorial Museum (Sword)
We hesitated to put this museum in our favorites, as it’s still very different. It recounts the arrival of the first soldiers of the British 6th Airborne Division on the eve of D-Day to take charge of the Pegasus Bridge.
You’ll find plenty to explain how the night unfolded, as well as a life-size replica.
- Location: Ranville
- Closing days: open daily, closed from December 16 to January 31
- Driving time from Bayeux: 35min
- Driving time from Caen: 20min
- official website here
Merville Battery Museum (Sword)
We love visiting military batteries. And in Merville, you’ll find a combination of batteries and museum.
The bunkers withstood numerous bombardment assaults and were captured with difficulty by the 9th British Parachute Battalion.
You’ll find bunker scenes, a Douglas C-47 aircraft and other equipment.
- Location: Merville-Franceville-Plage
- Closing days: open daily, closed from November 15th to March 15th
- Driving time from Bayeux: 45min
- Driving time from Caen: 30min
- official website here
N°4 Commando Museum (Sword)
Small museum dedicated to the 4th Commando: film, miniatures and objects. Photos prohibited inside.
- Location: Arromanches
- Closing days: open from mid-April to mid-November
- Driving time from Bayeux: 40min
- Driving time from Caen: 20min
- official website here
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
6 other museums in Normandy
Caen Memorial Museum
See #2 on the list at the top of this article. This is a must-see museum in Normandy.
Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum (Bayeux)
Many museums focus solely on the D-Day landings, but at Bayeux you can learn more about the entire Battle of Normandy.
For those interested in strategic details, this is a good choice: the museum describes in detail military operations from June 7 to August 29, 1944, day by day, and sometimes hour by hour.
- Location: Bayeux
- Closing days: open every day except January
- Driving time from Bayeux: 0
- Driving time from Caen: 30min
See our article on visiting this museum.
Museum of Civilians in War (town of Falaise)
We talk a lot about soldiers, their engineering and their bravery. This museum focuses more on civilians and how they lived through this period of confrontation.
- Location: Town of Falaise (inland Normandy)
- Closed: open daily in July and August, Wednesday to Sunday in September, October, May and June. Closed in winter. Many variations in timetables, see website.
- Driving time from Bayeux: 50min
- Driving time from Caen: 35min
- official website here
Liberation Museum (Cherbourg)
A museum focusing on the decisive role played by the port of Cherbourg in the liberation: photos, interactive screens, documentation. Immerse yourself in the world of civilians and soldiers around the first liberated port.
- Location: Cherbourg
- Closed on Mondays and from mid-November to mid-February.
- Driving time from Bayeux: 1h10
- Driving time from Caen: 1h30
Memorial of Montormel
A small museographic area on the site of the fighting at the end of the Battle of Normandy in August 44. The monument overlooks the valley where the soldiers fought.
- Location: Mont-Ormel, between Argentan and Vimoutiers
- Driving time from Bayeux: 1h20
- Driving time from Caen: 1h10
La Cambe Cemetery Museum
Next to the surprising La Cambe cemetery (German cemetery), you’ll find a peace garden and a small museum building with photos and biographies of soldiers.
- Location: La Cambe
- Closing days: open every day
- Driving time from Bayeux: 20min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
- official website here
Museum 44 La Percée du Bocage (Saint-Martin-des-Besaces)
Museum dedicated to the British soldiers who fought to liberate the Bocage during Operation Bluecoat at the end of July 1944, with reconstructions of real-life scenes.
- Location: Saint-Martin-des-Besaces
- Closing days: times to be seen on the site
- Driving time from Bayeux: 40min
- Driving time from Caen: 40min
- official website here
