Normandy Victory Museum

About the museum

The Normandy Victory Museum was born in 2016 out of the meeting of three enthusiasts of Second World War history: Patrick Fissot, Christophe Beaussire and Nicolas Bellée. All three were collectors who wanted to make the Battle of the Hedgerows better known, an important episode of the fighting in the summer of 1944 in the Normandy bocage. Their collections, already shown in several exhibitions between 2004 and 2014, provided the starting point for the project. A building made available in Carentan-les-Marais made it possible.

The museum opened on May 19, 2017, and was officially inaugurated on June 2 that year. Attendance rose from about 10,000 visitors in 2017 to nearly 30,000 in 2019 and almost 60,000 in 2024, the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The institution is private and operates without subsidies, thanks to its visitors.

The chronological route follows the Occupation of 1940, the D-Day landings of June 1944, the Battle of the Hedgerows, the Liberation and the reconstruction. It is built around some thirty life-size scenes, more than 15,000 original objects, about twenty vehicles, video testimonies and a film. It also covers civilian life, prisoners of war, African American battalions and the role of women.

Highlights

• Around thirty life-size scenes with sound and lighting effects
• More than 15,000 authentic objects and about twenty vehicles
• Reconstructed period street at the entrance
• Detective game “Le secret des 3 bunkers” in three reconstructed bunkers
• Sensory guided tour with objects to handle
• Documentary exhibition on Sergeant Taylor, cameraman at Omaha Beach

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent : la bataille des haies – Chronological route from the Occupation to the Liberation, with around thirty life-size scenes and more than 15,000 objects of the period.
• Sergeant Taylor, le seul caméraman d’Omaha Beach – Documentary exhibition built from archives and personal objects entrusted by the family of war cameraman Richard Taylor.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Établissement privé, sans subventions

Admission & discounts

€1 off the adult ticket with the low-carbon rate (arriving by train, coach or bike), the Explore Normandy Pass or certain partner offers; these offers cannot be combined. Payment in cash, by bank card, with ANCV holiday vouchers (chèques-vacances), Kadéos card or Pass Culture; bank cheques are not accepted.

Accessibility

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

The route is step-free and on one level, with wide aisles and seating; a wheelchair can be lent on request. Some display cases are rather high. The sound effects (gunfire) may startle sensitive visitors. The visit app offers audio content; written transcripts for deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors are in preparation. The museum is not yet fully adapted for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The museum is suitable for families, including with young children. Some sound effects (gunfire) may startle the youngest: the museum advises accompanying children. The sensory guided tour, designed with families in mind, lets visitors touch objects inspired by period equipment.

Getting there & parking

5 minutes by car from Carentan-les-Marais via the RN 13, exit Saint-Hilaire-Petitville; 42 minutes from Cherbourg.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Food at the Freedom Café and the A10 Canteen. Free Wi-Fi on site, used for the visit app. The bookshop is accessible without an entry ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 120 guests.

The Greenfield room, adjoining the museum, hosts meetings, training sessions and lectures for professionals and associations: 120 people in theater layout, 80 in meeting layout, 30 in U-shape. Equipment: stage, 4K projector, sound system, microphones, Wi-Fi.

Plan your visit