Top Things to do in Basse-Normandie
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Basse-Normandie, Normandy
Discover the best top things to do in Basse-Normandie, France including Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, Scriptorial d'Avranches, musee des manuscrits du Mont Saint-Michel, Musee du debarquement, Airborne Museum, Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema, Le Grand Bunker Musee du Mur de l'Atlantique, Cornille Havard - Fondeur de Cloches, World War 2 Museum, Liberators Museum - Normandy 1944, Musee des Beaux-arts et de la Dentelle.
Restaurants in Basse-Normandie
1. Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,062 reviews
This museum houses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-m long piece of embroidery that graphically tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.Listed UNESCO Memory of the World. Duration of visit about 1h30. Annual closure in January
Reviewed By joand143 - London, United Kingdom
Incredible visit Brings to life this amazing tapestry and the history behind it Beautifully presented and explained
2. Scriptorial d'Avranches, musee des manuscrits du Mont Saint-Michel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By RosiePenAustralia
This museum is one of the best in France we have visited. Really enjoyed being in the majestic building itself, the design of which drew you in. The explanatory films, the interactive computer screens which enable you to further explore the design, development and fabrication of the beautiful manuscripts we're a high light, especially as the ancient manuscripts were unavailable for viewing at the time of our visit. More English language signage would be helpful. Check the opening hours, the French seem unable to work through 'lunchtime', a frustrating part of the culture, and in October the museum was only open in the afternoon.
3. Musee du debarquement
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,950 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelMc777 - Sunnyvale, United States
The museum concentrates on the D-day landing and the vital role this bay contributed. There is an amazing working model about 50 feet long of the supply bridge. It is an engineering masterpiece. It was absolutely fascinating. Highly recommended and so educational. There are regular tours at different times in different languages - excellent, to the point, and will add dramatically to your knowledge(I joined in the midstream and am so glad I did).
4. Airborne Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,324 reviews
The Airborne Museum, situated in the square of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, a few miles from D-Day landing beaches, facing the church where John Steele famously was caught, relates the heroic adventure of paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. Through a spectacular museography, the Airborne Museum takes you through the D-Day alongside American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. From the invasion preparations in England through the battles for liberation, meet the Airborne troops and accompany them on their journey to Victory.
Reviewed By K3748JQchriss - Northwich, United Kingdom
This is a fabulous Museum, well presented, great detail of events and brought to life with good exhibits, it tells the story of the turning point of WW11 in great detail and imagery, Allow yourself plenty of time to read about this remarkable event in history, don't rush it, savour it.
5. Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,006 reviews
Discover the visualy stunning film. The latest special effects, combined with outstanding archive footages, make this film absolutely unmissable. This film projected in HD on 9 screens tells the story of the terrible Battle of Normandy trough archive images gathered from around the world. This film is a tribute to soldiers from all countries and to the 20.000 civilians who were killed during this battle for the liberation of Europe, battle which gave rise to so much hope.
Reviewed By WarrenS1144
The museum shows a short movie on screens that surround you - although it feels a bit overwhelming at times, it is very good and a perfect adjunct to a tour of the D Day beaches and historical sites. Being on the beaches is amazing but there is such value in watching the news reels of the time, it is really evocative. Well worth it!
6. Le Grand Bunker Musee du Mur de l'Atlantique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 878 reviews
The bunker was built in 1943/44, on a special design. I fact, as the coast was very low, the Organization Todt had to erect the 17 meters tower to increase the range finder’s range. This was the Fire Control post of the defenses of the river Orne estuary and the canal entrance. These consisted in six 150 mm french guns, on the beach of Riva-Bella, served by men of the 1st Battery, 1260th Coastal Artillery Batallion and four 150 mm french guns, near the water-tower, served by gunners of the 4th Battery, 1716th Artillery Regiment, 716th Infantry Division. On june, 6th , it received a lucky direct hit, fired from a 380 mm gun of the H.M.S. Frobisher battle cruiser which made the Bunker unoperational. During the morning, british troops of the n° 4 Commando were intrigued by this unforeseen concrete tower. They made two attempts to get inside without success. They were content to withdraw with their wounded men.The Bunker was finally captured by the lieutnant Bob Orrell who took 53 prisonners, on june, 9 th. He was promoted captain the next day.
Reviewed By Dibleygirl - Southampton, United Kingdom
We visited the Bunker not really knowing a great deal of its history, but enjoyed our visit enormously. We could only imagine how terrifying it must have been to be ther during WW2. This is an essential visit for anyone interested in military history.
7. Cornille Havard - Fondeur de Cloches
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
In an authentic 19th Century workshop, discover nine centuries of tradition, from ageless methods to modern technology.
Reviewed By bebsaurus_13 - Paris, France
This isn't a museum, but a working foundry, so it's grimy, hot and space is tight. It's the real thing! The commented visit is interesting and well explained. It shows the whole production cycle of a bell, with the different techniques and materials used depending on the bell size and use. There is also a great selection of bells of various sizes to try out in the courtyard. I wouldn't want to live next door, because they are loud, but it is a lot of fun. This really was a great place to visit.
8. World War 2 Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By TrishP115
What a stunning little museum. This would be the first museum I’d go to learn about WW2 to give more of an insight. It gives a great overview of the part the French resistance played leading up to the D day landings. The action man models are exceptional (see if you can find the Brad Pitt lookalike). Would highly recommend
9. Liberators Museum - Normandy 1944
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Unique collection of uniforms and objects used during the Battle of Normandy. Personal stories of the liberators. Beautiful dioramas which take you through time and history. Shop with original World War II memorabilia.
10. Musee des Beaux-arts et de la Dentelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By KathyTravelling - Oakland, United States
A movie shows the making of lace. I had no idea and completely misunderstood the process. It is remarkable. Seeing the works after understanding what it takes is just astounding. While I like to think I might reproduce many items I see, lace will not be one of them as the patience and skill required is way beyond me! In addition, there is an art museum associated with the lace museum that is worth visiting. If you have a couple of hours, or even an hour, this is worth doing. Please note that I dragged along a complete skeptic who, by the time we were done, became a believer.
