Best D-Day & WW2 Museums to Visit in Normandy (2025 Guide)
Normandy has a wealth of history, and nowhere is that more evident than in the many museums spread across the region. From the dramatic events of the D-Day landings to the weeks that followed during the Battle of Normandy, these museums tell powerful stories of soldiers, civilians, and the impact the war had on this part of France.
Across the region, you’ll find a wide range of exhibits covering every aspect of the conflict. Some museums house large military collections with tanks, aircraft, and landing craft. Others focus on more personal items like letters, uniforms, and firsthand accounts. Some highlight specific national perspectives such as American, British, or Canadian involvement, while others look at the experiences of local people living through the war.
This list brings together my top pickps for museums to visit in Normandy. I’ve personally visited every museum included here, so these recommendations are based on first-hand experience rather than summaries or reviews. Whether you’re interested in military history, personal stories, or want to better understand the scale of the D-Day landings, these museums offer something for every visitor.
Contents
- Dead Man's Corner – D-Day Experience
- Airborne Museum – Sainte-Mère-Église
- Overlord Museum – Omaha Beach
- Musée Le Grand Bunker – Ouistreham
- Utah Beach Museum – Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
- Pegasus Bridge Museum – Bénouville
- Normandy Victory Museum – Carentan
- Omaha Beach Memorial Museum – Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
- Musée du Débarquement – Arromanches-les-Bains
- Musée La Percée du Bocage – Saint-Martin-des-Besaces
- Musée Commando No. 4 – Ouistreham
- Caen Memorial Museum
- The Gold Beach Museum – Ver-sur-Mer
- Musée Radar 1944 – Douvres-la-Délivrande
- World War II Museum – Quinéville
- Museum of the Battle of Normandy – Bayeux
- Musée des Épaves Sous-Marines – Port-en-Bessin
- Musée de la Bataille de Tilly-sur-Seulles
- Explore More Sites in Normandy
Dead Man's Corner - DDay Experience
Located just outside the town of Carentan, Dead Man’s Corner is one of the most immersive museums in Normandy. Set in the original building used as a German command post during the early days of the D-Day landings, the museum focuses on the role of the 101st Airborne Division and offers a unique blend of historical detail and interactive storytelling.
What makes this museum stand out is its immersive approach. One of the highlights is the 3D cinema experience, which provides a dramatic overview of the airborne landings. There’s also a full-scale C-47 flight simulator, built using an original aircraft, that recreates the paratrooper drop into Normandy on the night of June 5, 1944. Both experiences add depth and atmosphere to the visit.
Inside the museum, you’ll find a wide range of authentic artifacts from both American and German forces. These include uniforms, weapons, personal items, and field equipment, much of it centered around the 101st Airborne Division. The collection also features items linked to Easy Company of Band of Brothers fame, as well as relics recovered from the crash site of Lt. Meehan’s C-47.
If you're interested in the airborne side of the Normandy landings, this museum is well worth your time. It offers a strong sense of place and context, and the mix of personal stories and immersive elements makes it accessible to both serious history fans and casual visitors. It’s also close to several other sites in the Carentan area, so it’s easy to include in a broader day exploring the American sector. Expect to spend around 1.5 to 2 hours here, especially if you take your time with the exhibits and film.
I’ve visited Dead Man’s Corner multiple times and it remains one of the most memorable stops on the Normandy museum circuit. The combination of atmosphere, historical detail, and immersive presentation really sets it apart.
Airborne Museum – Sainte-Mère-Église
Located in the center of Sainte-Mère-Église, the Airborne Museum is one of the most well-known and widely visited World War II museums in Normandy. It sits just across from the famous church where paratrooper John Steele became caught on the steeple during the early hours of D-Day. That moment is still remembered today with a paratrooper mannequin hanging from the tower.
The museum focuses on the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and is made up of several modern exhibition buildings. Each one explores a different part of the airborne landings, with a strong emphasis on personal stories and individual experiences. There are hundreds of original artifacts on display, including uniforms, parachutes, radios, personal items, and weapons, many of which were donated by veterans and their families.
One of the highlights is the WACO glider exhibit, where visitors can walk through a renovated WACO glider alongside the Douglas C-47 plane Argonia. Another is the “Operation Neptune” building, which uses sound, lighting, and staging to recreate the experience of jumping into Normandy as a paratrooper. The museum blends traditional displays with interactive elements, making it engaging for both adults and younger visitors.
Overlord Museum, Omaha Beach
Located just outside Colleville-sur-Mer, near the Normandy American Cemetery and overlooking the Omaha Beach landing area, the Overlord Museum covers the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy through to the liberation of Paris.
The museum is known for its large-scale dioramas and restored military vehicles. You’ll find tanks, artillery, uniforms, and personal items arranged in immersive scenes that bring the story of the Normandy campaign to life. The collection includes over 40 vehicles and thousands of smaller artifacts, many from private collections. Exhibits represent both Allied and German perspectives, offering a broader view of the conflict.
The museum is also surrounded by original World War II vehicles, including an M4A1 Sherman tank, a Sexton self-propelled gun, and an M32B1 Sherman recovery vehicle. These outdoor displays are freely accessible and set the tone before you even enter the main exhibit.
If you're visiting the nearby cemetery or Omaha Beach, the Overlord Museum is well worth a stop. It offers a strong mix of detailed displays and dramatic visuals, all closely tied to the location. Expect to spend around 1 to 1.5 hours here, depending on how in-depth you want to go.
Musée Le Grand Bunker – Ouistreham
Musée Le Grand Bunker is one of the more unique museums in Normandy. Located in a restored German command and fire control bunker just a few hundred meters from Sword Beach in Ouistreham, it offers a rare look inside a fully preserved Atlantic Wall structure.
The museum spans six floors and has been carefully restored to show how the bunker would have operated during the war. Each level is dedicated to a different function, including communications, medical, armory, and living quarters. As you climb through the floors, you get a sense of the confined but self-sufficient nature of the space and the level of detail involved in defending the coast.
One of the standout features is the rooftop observation post, which offers a clear view toward Sword Beach. This was the exact position from which German forces observed the eastern end of the Allied landings on D-Day. The interior is filled with original and period-correct equipment, from radios and uniforms to weapons and engineering tools.
While the museum is relatively compact compared to larger institutions, the setting inside an actual wartime bunker gives it a distinctive atmosphere. It’s especially interesting for visitors curious about German defenses and the Atlantic Wall system.
Utah Beach Museum – Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
The Utah Beach Museum is located right on the beach where American forces landed on the morning of June 6, 1944. Built on the very site of the original German defenses, the museum does an excellent job of combining historical narrative with personal stories, original equipment, and large-scale displays.
The museum traces the events of D-Day from the planning stages through the landings and into the aftermath, focusing on the role of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and airborne units that helped secure the area. The layout is easy to follow and moves chronologically through the operation, with a mix of text, photos, short films, and personal accounts.
One of the main highlights is the fully restored B-26 Marauder bomber, one of the few remaining examples of its kind. It’s displayed inside a custom-built hangar and accompanied by detailed exhibits about the role of air support during the landings. The museum also includes vehicles, landing craft, weapons, and uniforms, as well as several outdoor displays positioned near the original bunkers and beach obstacles.
Because it sits right on Utah Beach, the museum blends naturally into the landscape. After touring the exhibits, you can step directly onto the sand and imagine what the soldiers would have faced as they came ashore. There are also memorials and bunkers to explore in the surrounding area, making it easy to combine a museum visit with a walk along the beach.
Pegasus Bridge Museum – Bénouville
If you're visiting the British sector, the Pegasus Bridge Museum is one of the must-see museums in Normandy. Officially named the Memorial Pegasus, it tells the story of the British 6th Airborne Division and their critical role in the opening moments of the D-Day landings. Located just a short walk from the famous bridge in Bénouville, the museum offers a focused and personal look at one of the most daring airborne operations of the war. Its emphasis on the glider landdings sets it apart from the larger museums in the region.
The museum covers the capture of Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of June 6, 1944, when British glider troops landed just meters from their objective in one of the first actions of D-Day. The original bridge has been preserved and now stands in the museum’s outdoor area, alongside a full-size replica of a Horsa glider of the type used in the assault.
Inside the museum, exhibits include uniforms, weapons, letters, photographs, and personal belongings of the soldiers involved. There’s a strong emphasis on individual stories, particularly those of the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry and the men who landed in the gliders. Several of the displays were developed with input from veterans, and the museum continues to feel closely connected to the people who were there.
The outdoor area also features artillery pieces, memorials, and informative signage, with the preserved original bridge acting as a powerful centerpiece. The indoor exhibits are concise but meaningful, and it’s worth taking the time to walk from the museum to the modern Pegasus Bridge, which is still in operation today.
Normandy Victory Museum (Carentan)
The Normandy Victory Museum is located near Carentan, on what was once an American airfield built shortly after the D-Day landings. While many museums in the region focus on the landings themselves, this one shifts attention to the intense battles that followed, especially the hedgerow fighting and breakout operations in the weeks after June 6.
The museum features over 20 detailed dioramas that recreate scenes from the Normandy countryside during the summer of 1944. These cover American, German, and French resistance perspectives, with impressive detail in the uniforms, vehicles, and settings. The layout allows you to move through the scenes as narrative snapshots, giving a strong sense of what soldiers and civilians experienced.
Among the collection are restored vehicles including tanks, half-tracks, and jeeps, along with thousands of smaller artifacts like weapons, radios, and personal items. There’s also a short film and some interactive displays that help set the historical context.
Located just off the N13 motorway between Omaha and Utah Beach, the museum is easy to reach and definitely worth a stop if you're touring the area. It adds valuable context to the Normandy campaign and offers a quieter experience away from the busier coastal sites. Plan to spend about 1 to 1.5 hours here, depending on your pace.
Omaha Beach Memorial Museum – Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
Located just a short walk from the beach itself, the Omaha Beach Memorial Museum focuses on the American landings at one of the most heavily defended sectors of the Normandy coastline. It sits near the heart of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, directly facing one of the main exit points from the beach used by U.S. troops on June 6, 1944.
The museum tells the story of the Omaha Beach landings through a collection of uniforms, weapons, photographs, and equipment used by American and German forces. There’s a strong focus on personal stories and artifacts, many of which were donated by veterans and their families. The layout is compact but packed with material, making it easy to explore at your own pace.
One of the museum’s strengths is its proximity to the beach. After seeing the exhibits, it’s only a few minutes’ walk to stand on the same sand where the landings took place. The museum also provides useful context for understanding the challenges U.S. forces faced during the assault, including terrain, obstacles, and resistance from fortified German positions.
You can comfortably spend about an hour here, or longer if you take your time with the photos and personal accounts.
Musée du Débarquement – Arromanches-les-Bains
The Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches focuses on one of the most remarkable engineering feats of the D-Day landings: the creation of the artificial Mulberry harbour. Located right on the shoreline in Arromanches-les-Bains, the museum sits in full view of the remains of the floating port that was used to land thousands of troops, vehicles, and tons of equipment after June 6, 1944.
This museum underwent a major renovation and reopened in 2023 with modern, interactive exhibits and large-scale displays that explain how the Mulberry harbour was designed, built, and operated. Models, original footage, and hands-on elements walk visitors through the logistical side of the landings, an aspect that’s often overlooked in more combat-focused museums.
Highlights include detailed working models of the harbour systems, 3D projections, and views across the bay toward the remaining caissons still visible at low tide. There’s also a section on British forces and their role in establishing and defending the harbour, since Arromanches was part of the British Gold Beach sector.
Musée La Percée du Bocage
Musée La Percée du Bocage is a small museum in Saint-Martin-des-Besaces that focuses on the fighting in Normandy’s hedgerow country during the weeks following D-Day. This part of the campaign, known for its close-quarters combat and difficult terrain, is often underrepresented but played a crucial role in the Allied breakout.
The exhibits include detailed dioramas, uniforms, weapons, and personal items, many of which relate to the American 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions. The museum also highlights the experience of local civilians during the battle, with documents and testimonies that add a human dimension to the military displays.
Although it’s not large, the museum presents the subject clearly and with strong attention to detail. Its inland setting gives visitors a better understanding of what Allied troops encountered after moving away from the beaches.
Musée Commando No. 4
Musée Commando No. 4 is located in Ouistreham, near Sword Beach, and is dedicated to the French and British commandos who took part in the D-Day landings. The museum focuses especially on the actions of the 177 French commandos of the Kieffer Unit, who landed alongside British forces on the morning of June 6, 1944.
The museum includes uniforms, weapons, photographs, and personal items, with a particular emphasis on the French commandos and their role in the liberation of Ouistreham. Exhibits are presented in both French and English, and the layout is easy to follow. Many of the items on display were donated by veterans or their families, adding a personal and authentic feel.
This is a small museum, but it offers an important and often overlooked perspective on the landings, especially for those interested in the French contribution to the operation. It’s located not far from the beach and can be visited in around 30 to 45 minutes, making it easy to include as part of a day exploring the Sword Beach area.
Caen Memorial Museum
The Caen Memorial Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums on World War II in France. Located in the city of Caen, it offers an in-depth look at the causes, events, and aftermath of the conflict, with a strong focus on the Battle of Normandy and the broader impact of war on Europe.
The museum covers a wide timeline, starting with the rise of fascism in the 1930s and continuing through the D-Day landings, the Cold War, and post-war recovery. Exhibits include films, original documents, photographs, and a wide range of artifacts. There are also large reconstructed environments and immersive displays that help bring the period to life.
One of the most impactful sections focuses on the Battle of Normandy and the civilian experience during the fighting. The museum also features memorial spaces, including a section dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and the Resistance.
The Gold Beach Museum – Ver-sur-Mer
The Gold Beach Museum is located in Ver-sur-Mer, at the heart of the British Gold Beach landing zone. The museum covers the German defences along the beach prior to D-Day, before moving on to the story of the landings themselves and the intelligence operations behind them. There is a particular focus on the 50th Northumberland Division, which came ashore here on June 6, 1944, as well as the creation of RAF airfields in the surrounding area during the weeks that followed.
The exhibits include maps, photographs, military equipment, and personal items that help illustrate both the planning and execution of the assault. There are also displays on the local impact of the landings and how the area was transformed in the weeks after D-Day to support the Allied push inland.
This is a modest but informative museum that provides useful context for anyone exploring the British sector. Its focus on Gold Beach and the specific units involved makes it a valuable stop for visitors interested in the British contribution to the Normandy campaign.
A visit typically takes about 45 minutes to an hour. The museum is also just a short walk from the British Normandy Memorial, making it easy to visit both in one trip.
Musée Radar 1944 – Douvres-la-Délivrande
Musée Radar 1944 is located on the site of a former German radar station in Douvres-la-Délivrande, just inland from Sword Beach. The museum is dedicated to the role of radar during World War II and focuses on how German radar technology was used to monitor Allied movements along the Normandy coast.
The museum is set across several preserved bunkers and restored buildings that were part of the original German radar complex. Exhibits explain how radar worked during the war, how the station operated under German control, and how it was eventually captured by British forces after several days of heavy fighting following D-Day.
Visitors can explore various technical displays, including radar equipment, communication tools, uniforms, and documentation. There is also a reconstructed radar antenna and detailed models showing how the station was set up and defended.
What makes this museum unique is its combination of military history and technology. It offers insight into an often-overlooked aspect of the war effort and provides a different angle compared to the beach-focused museums nearby.
World War II Museum – Quinéville
The World War II Museum in Quinéville is located near the northeastern coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, not far from Utah Beach. It offers a broad overview of life in Normandy during the war, combining military exhibits with civilian perspectives to give a more complete picture of the occupation, the landings, and the liberation.
The museum features a variety of artifacts, including vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and equipment from both Allied and Axis forces. One of the main highlights is a full-scale reconstruction of a wartime Norman street, complete with shopfronts and daily life scenes that give a strong sense of the local experience during the occupation and liberation.
In addition to traditional exhibits, the museum includes dioramas, audio-visual displays, and a focus on how civilians lived, coped, and survived through the different phases of the conflict. It also touches on the broader course of the war in Europe, making it accessible to visitors who may be less familiar with the details of the Normandy campaign.
Museum of the Battle of Normandy – Bayeux
The Museum of the Battle of Normandy is located in Bayeux and focuses on the broader military operations that followed the D-Day landings, covering the full scope of the Normandy campaign from June to August 1944. It provides a comprehensive overview of how the Allies pushed inland, overcame German resistance, and eventually broke out toward Paris.
The museum features a large collection of military vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and equipment from both Allied and German forces. Exhibits are organized chronologically, showing how the battle developed day by day across different sectors of Normandy. Maps, dioramas, and photographs help explain the scale and complexity of the fighting beyond the beaches.
One of the highlights is the collection of restored armored vehicles and artillery pieces on display both inside and outside the museum. There’s also a well-produced short film that outlines the main phases of the campaign and puts the exhibits into historical context.
Because of its central location in Bayeux, the museum is easy to reach and pairs well with a visit to the Bayeux War Cemetery or the town’s historic center. It’s an excellent choice for visitors looking to understand the full timeline of the Normandy campaign, especially the intense and costly fighting that followed D-Day.
Musée des Épaves Sous-Marines – Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
The Musée des Épaves Sous-Marines, or Museum of Underwater Wrecks, is located in Port-en-Bessin, a small fishing port between Omaha and Gold Beaches. This unique museum is dedicated to the recovery and preservation of military equipment lost beneath the sea during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.
The collection features objects salvaged from the seabed over several decades, including parts of landing craft, tanks, aircraft, and personal equipment. Many of the items were recovered by local divers and are displayed in the condition they were found, giving visitors a direct connection to the events of June 1944.
Exhibits are supported by photographs, maps, and background information that explain where and how the wrecks were located. While the museum is small and more traditional in presentation, it offers a rare look at the material left behind in the waters off the Normandy coast.
Musée de la Bataille de Tilly-sur-Seulles 1944
The Musée de la Bataille de Tilly-sur-Seulles is a small museum dedicated to the fierce fighting that took place in and around the village of Tilly-sur-Seulles during June 1944. Located about halfway between Bayeux and Caen, the museum focuses on the British-led operations that attempted to break through German defensive positions in the bocage countryside.
The exhibits cover the battles involving the British 50th Infantry Division and the elite German Panzer-Lehr Division. Through photographs, maps, weapons, uniforms, and personal items, the museum tells the story of the struggle for this strategic area, which changed hands multiple times before finally being secured by Allied forces.
Though compact, the museum offers a clear and focused narrative that highlights the intensity of the post-D-Day fighting and the challenges posed by the hedgerow terrain. It also includes local testimonies and materials that help illustrate the impact of the battle on the civilian population.
Explore More Sites in Normandy
While this guide covers many of the most notable museums related to D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, there are dozens of other historic locations worth visiting across the region. From bunkers and cemeteries to memorials and battlefield landmarks, Normandy is full of places that offer insight into the events of 1944 and their lasting legacy.
If you’d like to discover more sites, including lesser-known stops and hidden local landmarks, you can browse the full list on the explore Normandy page. Each entry includes location details, photos, and visitor information to help you plan your journey through Normandy’s wartime history.
Visit our explore page to see all the D-Day museums in Normandy
Phil – founder of Normandy War Guide
I started the site more than a decade ago after my first trip to Normandy and have
been hooked ever since. I visit a few times each year to explore new sites and
update the guide. Over the years I’ve also transcribed thousands of WWII war
diaries and scanned original maps to keep this history accessible for everyone.