Musée Juin 44

About the museum

The museum opened in 1953 in the outbuildings of the château of L’Aigle, inaugurated by Maréchale Leclerc de Hauteclocque. It is presented as France’s first “talking museum”. The present château dates from the late 17th century. The bombings of 1944 partly destroyed it, but the outbuildings were spared and now house the museum.

The main route traces the Second World War, from the appeal of June 18, 1940 to the German defeat, with reconstructed scenes, wax figures and period voices. An animated map of 36 m² explains the Battle of Normandy, from the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944 to the liberation of L’Aigle on August 22, 1944.

The museum also hosts an exhibition on the meteorite that fell on L’Aigle on April 26, 1803, studied by Jean-Baptiste Biot, who was the first to show the extraterrestrial origin of meteorites. There is also an archaeology exhibition, which traces the periods from prehistory to the Iron Age using objects from several bequests. The museum has held the “Musée de France” label since 2003.

Highlights

• Sound-enhanced wax scenes with period voices about the Second World War
• Animated 36 m² map of the Battle of Normandy
• Fragments of the L’Aigle meteorite of 1803
• Archaeology exhibition from prehistory to the Iron Age

Permanent exhibitions

• Musée Juin 44 – Reconstructed scenes with wax figures and period voices, from the appeal of June 18, 1940 to the end of the Battle of Normandy, with a 36 m² animated map.
• Exposition permanente de la météorite de L’Aigle – Fragments of the meteorite that fell in 1803 and panels explaining the phenomenon of meteorites.
• Exposition d’archéologie – Objects from prehistory to the Iron Age, from several bequests.

Founded

1953

Operated by

Ville de L’Aigle

Visitors per year

approx. 1,595

Admission & discounts

Free up to age 6. According to the city, the permanent meteorite exhibition is free to enter.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Playground / play area

Outdoor play equipment and parking for families, as indicated on the website.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the outbuildings of the château of L’Aigle, place Fulbert de Beina.

Amenities & dining

Uncovered picnic area and outdoor play equipment.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit