Musée Août 44

About the museum

The Musée Août 44 is housed in the former stables of the Château du Taillis, a private estate in Duclair on the banks of the Seine. It is devoted to the end of the Battle of Normandy: at the end of August 1944, tens of thousands of German soldiers tried to cross the river to escape the Allied advance, while bridges and ferries had been destroyed. For several days, aircraft and artillery struck the troops gathered on the banks, before the civilian population was liberated.

The route recreates these hours of combat and then of relief, through staging and thousands of authentic objects gathered after many years of research: weapons, uniforms and soldiers’ equipment. The museum also draws on accounts from soldiers and civilians who witnessed the fighting.

The founders want to bring back to life the man and the soldier behind each object, in order to keep the memory of the combatants alive. The owner of the château personally leads the guided tours, offered on request to individual visitors and groups.

Highlights

• Reconstructions and staging of the last fighting on the Seine in August 1944
• Thousands of authentic objects, weapons and uniforms
• Accounts from soldiers and civilians who witnessed the fighting
• Guided tours led by the owner of the château
• Château park open to visitors free of charge

Permanent exhibition

• Musée Août 44 : l'enfer sur la Seine – Reconstruction of the last fighting of the Battle of Normandy on the Seine and of the Liberation that followed, with thousands of objects and period uniforms.

Operated by

Château du Taillis (domaine privé)

Admission & discounts

The park and gardens are free to enter, with a donation possible in the box at the entrance to the estate. Payment in cash or by cheque.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The park is ideal for a family picnic; adapted tours are offered to school groups and leisure centres.

Getting there & parking

From Paris via the A13, take the “Maison brûlée” exit towards La Bouille, then the Duclair ferry. From Caen, take the A13 exit for Bourg-Achard, then cross the Brotonne bridge to Duclair. From Le Havre, take the A29 exit for Yvetot, head towards the Brotonne bridge and then to Duclair. By bicycle, the estate is reached via the greenway (voie verte) between Duclair and Le Trait, from the back of the park.

Amenities & dining

Visitors can picnic or have a snack in the château gardens.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The château rents out its premises for weddings, seminars, receptions and filming; the offer covers the whole estate, not the museum alone.

Plan your visit