Musée La Percée du Bocage

Musée La Percée du Bocage is located in Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, a rural village in the Normandy countryside. The museum is dedicated to the British breakout from the bocage region during Operation Bluecoat, a lesser-known but strategically critical offensive that took place in late July 1944. The operation played a key role in the eventual encirclement of the German 7th Army in the Falaise Pocket, helping to bring about the collapse of German resistance in Normandy.

The museum uses eight themed exhibit rooms to tell the story of this phase of the campaign, combining original objects, personal accounts, and detailed reconstructions. Highlights include uniforms, weaponry, military equipment, and documents donated by veterans and their families. A sound and light show adds an immersive layer to the experience, illustrating both the combat actions and the daily life of civilians during the German occupation from 1939 to 1944.

Though modest in size, the museum offers a focused and informative look at a pivotal moment in the Normandy campaign, making it a valuable stop for those interested in the British sector or the broader strategy behind the Allied breakout from Normandy.