Musée du Débarquement

About the museum

The Musée du Débarquement in Arromanches was the first museum on the theme of the landings, created in the aftermath of the Second World War. The project was proposed by Raymond Triboulet, a former member of the Resistance who became the first sub-prefect of Free France in Bayeux in 1944 and later a government minister. President René Coty inaugurated it on June 5, 1954, facing the remains of the Mulberry B artificial harbour, still visible on the beach.

The old building welcomed more than 20 million visitors before it closed in November 2022. A new building, designed by the Projectiles agency, opened in 2023. The entire route is now done with an audio guide included in the ticket, for a visit of about 1 hr 30 min.

The museum explains the preparation and course of the Normandy landings, with a focus on the construction and operation of the Mulberry harbour, presented in particular through animated models. The collections include military objects such as the battle jacket of Commander Philippe Kieffer, commando daggers, a British mine detector, and elements about the PLUTO system of undersea pipelines.

Highlights

• Animated models of the Mulberry B artificial harbour
• Remains of the Mulberry harbour visible from the museum
• Battle jacket of Commander Philippe Kieffer
• PLUTO system of undersea pipelines
• Audio guide in ten languages included in the ticket
• Audio guide for children aged 6 to 10

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours audioguidé sur le Débarquement et la bataille de Normandie – Visit of about 1 hr 30 min devoted to the preparation of the landings and the battle of Normandy, with an introductory film for school groups.
• Les maquettes du port – Animated models of the Mulberry B artificial harbour, showing how it was assembled and used.
• Collection d'objets de la bataille de Normandie – Equipment and personal items, including Philippe Kieffer’s jacket, commando daggers and a British mine detector.

Founded

1954

Visitors per year

approx. 414,578

Admission & discounts

The audio guide is included in the admission price. Tickets are sold only on site at the ticket office; payment by bank card, cash, cheque, chèques-vacances, American Express and Pass Culture. A €1 discount on the adult rate with an adult ticket from the Airborne Museum, and vice versa. Explore Normandy Pass: discounts at more than 60 sites in Normandy, with online registration.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Tactile floor guidance, induction loop for hard of hearing visitors, audio guides with a version in French Sign Language (LSF) and in easy-to-understand French (FALC). Two lifts serve the exhibition area. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted without restriction.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Audio guide for children, in which a boy named Pierre recounts the exhibition from his experience of the war. The animated models of the prefabricated harbour are presented as fun and educational. Strollers are not admitted on the route; reserved lockers are available for them, and baby carriers can be lent on request at the ticket office.

Getting there & parking

Bayeux railway station is about 15 minutes from the museum; Caen is about 35 minutes away by car.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Shop with books, comics, textiles, games and models, accessible without an admission ticket; it is located at the end of the visit. Lockers for bags, coats and strollers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit