Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) Tours

Located a short drive from the D-Day Landing Beaches, the Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) puts one of the most significant battles of World War II into historical context. The museum gardens serve as a poignant tribute to the international soldiers that lost their lives on Norman soil.

The Basics
Interactive exhibitions and multimedia displays take visitors through the events of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, and offer a wider look at the key events of WWI and II, and the Cold War. Museum highlights include the immersive 360° movie ‘Europe Our History’; the command post of General Major Wilhelm Richter, located in a tunnel beneath the museum; and three memorial gardens devoted to the American, British, and Canadian troops. Explore on a self-guided tour or opt for a guided tour for deeper insight. 

Things to Know Before You Go

• Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) is a must for those interested in Normandy’s WWII history.
• Leave yourself at least two hours to explore the museum’s many exhibitions.
• Audio guides are available in multiple languages including French, English, and German.
• The museum has a restaurant, café, gift shop, and picnic areas.
• Caen Memorial Museum is accessible to travelers in wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There
The museum is located along the main N814 road, a 10-minute drive from downtown Caen. Bus number 2, which also departs from downtown Caen, stops right outside the museum.

When to Get There
The museum is open daily year-round, though opening hours vary throughout the year; it’s sometimes closed on Mondays in low season. Peak summer months bring large crowds so plan an early morning or late afternoon arrival to avoid large groups.

Normandy’s D-Day Museums
Caen Memorial Museum (Mémorial de Caen) is one of a number of Normandy museums that focus on WWII and D-Day and provide additional context for travelers touring Normandy’s D-Day beaches, battle sites, and war cemeteries. The Arromanches 360° is a Circular Cinema experience that focuses on the Battle of Normandy; Utah Beach Museum follows the training and operations of American troops during the D-Day landings; and Juno Beach Museum looks at the role played by Canadian troops in the battles. Other notable museums include the D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches, the Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux, and the American Airborne Museum in Saint-Mere Eglise.