Best D-Day & WW2 Museums to Visit in Normandy (2025 Guide)
Normandy stands as a historic battleground where the course of World War II shifted dramatically. On June 6, 1944, the D-Day landings marked the beginning of the Allied invasion, a monumental effort that led to the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe.
The museums cover not only the D-Day landings and fierce fighting during the push inland but also the local populations experience living under the German occupation.
Below are some of our top museums to visit in Normandy.
Overlord Museum
Located opposite the entrance to the Normandy American Cemetery near Omaha Beach at Colleville-sur-Mer the Overlord Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts from personal belongings, weapons and uniforms to tanks.
One of the standout features is the life-sized dioramas that recreate scenes from the Normandy campaign, giving visitors a vivid sense of what it was like on the ground.
Located outside in the grounds of the museum is a collection of tank including a M32B1 Sherman TRV, Sexton self-propelled gun, M10 tank destroyer and a M4A1 Sherman tank.
Admission: Adult €9.50, Child €7
Dead Man's Corner Museum and The D-Day Experience
Dead Man’s Corner Museum, located near Carentan in Normandy, is dedicated to the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division and the German forces they faced during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Carentan.
The museum takes its name from the corner where it is situated, a place marked by a tragic event during the invasion when a U.S. tank was hit, and remained in place with the commander’s body several days.
Today, the museum is housed in the original building that once served as a German command post and later as a U.S. aid station.
On the same site, you’ll find the D-Day Experience, which features an authentic C-47 aircraft converted into an immersive simulator. This experience recreates the paratroopers’ flight over the English Channel and the intense flak they encountered.
Musée des Epaves Sous-Marines
The Musée des Epaves Sous-Marines (Museum of Underwater Wrecks) in Port-en-Bessin, Normandy, is dedicated to exploring the remnants of WWII battles lying beneath the waves.
The museum showcases an impressive collection of artifacts recovered from the seabed around the coast of Normandy by Jacques Lemonchois. The exhibits include vehicles such as a Duplex Drive tank, weapons, and personal items from both Allied and German forces.
Admission: Adult €8, Child €5
Airborne Museum Sainte-Mere-Eglise
The Airborne Museum located in Sainte-Mere-Eglise is dedicated to the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division who were dropped into Normandy and fought as part of Operation Overlord.
The museum contains a collection of over 4500 items from the second world war with a particular focus on items used by the paratroopers who fought during the battle of Normandy and the equipment used by the German Occupiers.
Some of the museums highlights are its Waco Glider and a Douglas C47 plane Argonia and more than 100 uniformed mannequins showcasing American and German uniforms and equipment.
Admission: Adult €11.50, Child €7.50
Airborne Museum Sainte-Mere-Eglise
Utah Beach Museum
The Utah Beach Museum, located right on the historic D-Day landing site at the German defensive position of WN5 where American forces landed on D-Day.
The museum offers a detailed look at the planning and execution of the amphibious assault that marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe.
The Impressive collection includes artifacts, photographs, and personal stories from both soldiers and civilians. One of the standout exhibits is the restored B-26 bomber, one of the few left in the world.
Admission: Adult €10, Child €6.50
Musee Memorial Pegasus
The Pegasus Bridge Museum, officially known as the Memorial Pegasus, is located close to the site of the glider assaults on Pegasus and Horsa bridge by the British 6th Airborne Division.
Visitors can explore original artifacts, personal accounts, and detailed models that tell the story of the operation. One of the highlights is the original Pegasus Bridge itself, which was replaced in 1994 and moved to the museum grounds. Visitors can walk the original historic bridge with bullet and shrapnel marks from the battle still visible.
Admission: Adult €9.50, Child €6
The Atlantic Wall Museum
The Atlantic Wall Museum, (also know as Le Grande Bunker) is located a few streets inland from Sword Beach.
The museum is housed an original 52 foot high fire-control bunker for the gun batteries protecting the Orne Estuary. Restored to how it would have been on the 6th June 1944 it tells the story of the bunker, the construction of the Atlantic Wall and the defences in the local area.
Admission: Adult €8.50, Child €6.50
Juno Beach Centre
The Juno Beach Centre, located immediately inland from the beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy and is dedicated to the Canadian soldiers who landed on Juno Beach on D-Day and their role throughout the Second World War.
Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits, personal stories, and artifacts that showcase the experiences of the soldiers who fought there. An essential visit for anyone interested in the role of Canadians in Normandy and WW2.
Admission: Adult €8.50, Child €6
The Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie
Using a large collection of pictures, documents, original equipment and weapons the museum tells the story of the preparations for D-Day through to the Battle of Normandy from 7th June till the 29th August 1944.
Located in the grounds of the museum is a collection of well preserved tanks including a Churchill Tank, a Sherman Tank, German Hetzer Jagdpantzer (Tank destroyer) and an M-10 Tank Destroyer.
Admission: Adult €7.50, Child €4, under 10 free
The Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie
More museums
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