Top Things to do in Basse-Normandie
What to do and see in Basse-Normandie, Normandy: The Best Museums
Discover the best top things to do in Basse-Normandie, France including Pegasus Memorial, Memorial de Caen, Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux, Juno Beach Centre, Musee Baron Gerard, Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach, D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum), Scriptorial d'Avranches, musee des manuscrits du Mont Saint-Michel, Batterie Allemande de Longues-Sure-Mer.
Restaurants in Basse-Normandie
1. Pegasus Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,052 reviews
A memorial to the first British soldiers to arrive in Normandy who captured the Pegasus Bridge from the Nazis.
Reviewed By lizanneSurrey - Woking, United Kingdom
This is an excellent museum with many artifacts from the D Day landings, with poignant reminders of sacrifices made both local people & troops. There is a large illuminated model of the area highlighted during an introductory talk prior to a film of the assault. It warrents more than one visit in order to take everything in. Very thought provoking.
2. Memorial de Caen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,519 reviews
Located in the immediate vicinity of the D-Day Landing beaches, the Mémorial de Caen visitor centre is among the essential sites focusing on the Battle of Normandy and 20th century history. From the origins of the Second World War to the end of the Cold War, museographical displays tell this terrible side of 20th century history. Indeed, Caen, bombarded during the summer of 1944, a liberated yet martyred city, deserved a tribute well worthy of the suffering it endured. This is precisely the purpose of the Mémorial de Caen, but via a continuing perspective and action aimed at reconciliation.
Reviewed By nlansdell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This excellent museum charts the beginnings of, and causes behind, WW2 and the invasion of France - before detailing the events that led to its eventual liberation. It’s focus is on Normandy and Caen itself but it provides a good over view of the war in full and covers both the Pacific and African theatres. It also covers the holocaust. The material does not shy away from its subject and there are some graphic images of what took place and this includes film and pictures of dead combatants, hangings and executions - so please consider this if you are taking children. A film lasting 20 minutes brings everything together very well and I would recommend that not only that you do this at the end but that that you allow time for it. Your tickets last 24 hours so if you run out of time you can always pop back the next morning!
3. Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,825 reviews
Situated near the British Military Cemetery of Bayeux, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy narrates the battles which took place in Normandy after the D-Day landings, between 7th June and 29th August 1944. The collections of military equipment, the diorama and the archival films allow the visitor to grasp the enormous effort made during this decisive battle in order to restore peace in Europe.
Reviewed By Christine9046
Great museum, so much to see! Tons of artillery equipment, vehicles, artifacts, just amazing! All original from stuff left after the war since it was too costly to ship them back. TIP: buy the 3 museum tour for 15 € to save money. All the museums are close-by so you can do all 3 in a day. They are Tapestry, Museum of the Battle of Normandy, and Baron Gerard Art & Art history. Remember, all museums close between 12pm-2pm for lunch so be sure to start when they open at 9am and plan ahead so you can visit all 3. They close at 6pm. Shops close at 7pm so shop before eating dinner.
4. 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
5. Juno Beach Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,234 reviews
Canadian World War II memorial museum features interactive animations and a dramatic eight-foot bronze sculpture entitled "Remembrance and Renewal."
Reviewed By Calgarytraveller2 - Calgary, Canada
Being Canadian, we enjoyed getting the Canadian perspective (we stopped first at the war museum in Bayeux to get the big picture of all the Allied forces on D-Day). The displays were interesting, we really enjoyed the film as well as the underground tour of the tunnels and rooms. We also spent quite a bit of time out on the beach. The nearby Canadian war cemetery is also worth a stop. Very humbling and moving experience overall to think of the sacrifice they made for us. We will remember.
6. Musee Baron Gerard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
In the heart of the Episcopal palace of Bayeux, the MAHB reopened in 2013, provides a journey through history of art in Europe, from Archeology to Modern Art.-600 pieces of art with Impressionnist masterpiece of Gustave Caillebotte and Eugene Boudin-1000 pieces of Bayeux porcelain and lace-800 archeological and ethnographic pieces
7. Musee du Debarquement Utah Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,647 reviews
Located in the Parc Naturel Régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin, the "Madeleine" beach went into history a Tuesday of June 1944. 75 years after, the Utah Beach Landing Museum invites you to walk along paths of our liberators.
Reviewed By DiggoryLondon
Probably the most impressive museum we visited during our tour of the five D Day beaches. From the museum it is only a 100 yard walk to the beach. Once again if you stand and overlook the beach you realise just how exposed the attacking force was especially with regard to cover from the terrain. There are plenty of monuments and viewing points to enable you to see the whole of the beach area. The museum was very impressive the presentation was excellent and it provided a great deal of information to support the exhibits. There is a completed B26 Marauder that l have never seen before which enhanced the visit. Entrance fee 8 Euros very reasonable. Would definitely return again.
8. D-Day Experience (Dead Man's Corner museum)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,185 reviews
Discover D-Day Experience and its different areas made up of : two museums, an immersive and one of a kind attraction in the wolrd a memorial dedicated to the airborne troops» and a gift shop Set in the heart of a historical place, the site spans across 10,000 m2, thus inviting you to live an amazing experience that combines both educational and entertainment learning. Our site includes two museums dedicated to the airborne troops who fought during World War II, an airborne wall and two shops (militaria and gift shop). You can extend your visit with the historical route to retrace the steps of the men of the 101st division.
Reviewed By karinedY1590DD
Definitely a place to visit in Normandy! Great opportunity to salute and remember what 101st Airborne and the US Army did for us (I am French!), the flight simulator feels very realistic, the collection inside the museum is a very comprehensive one, with a very touching account of the stories of the jackets and other artifacts belonging to the guys, the medical equipment they used on the wounded, the planers, etc... I could go on for a while here! Dead's Man Corner is also very detailed, giving one a good idea of what it was like in the German camp.
9. 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.
10. Batterie Allemande de Longues-Sure-Mer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,140 reviews
Reviewed By MichaelMc777 - Sunnyvale, United States
The gun batteries are in relatively good condition. You can enter into the bunker and gain an interesting perspective from behind the canons. There is also a forward bunker you can visit and enter. I found it to be a somber and fascinating visit. I walked/visited it alone and preferred taking my time at each site. Tours add to historical knowledge and take away from the experience.
