Overlord Museum

Over het museum

The museum is built on the collection of Michel Leloup. In 1948 he used war wrecks and surplus Allied equipment for forestry work. In 1971 he found a German half-track similar to one he had once used, which launched a collection he would enrich for more than forty years. Part of it was first shown in 1987 in a former cheese dairy in Falaise.

The land near Omaha Beach was bought in 2008 and the museum was built in 2012, with about 1,400 m² of exhibition space. It opened on June 5, 2013, in the presence of veterans. In 2019, Nicolas Leloup added 400 m² of exhibition space, a gallery honoring the veterans, an educational room and a larger shop; the 400 m² Overlord Hall Expo, designed for events and temporary exhibitions, opened in 2025.

The route presents about 10,000 items, including around forty vehicles, tanks and guns, in reconstructed scenes across about 2,200 m². It traces the preparations, airborne operations, German defenses, the landings, logistics, the battles around Caen, the Falaise Pocket, the crossing of the Seine, the air war and the liberation of Paris. Outside, visitors see tanks, a Bailey bridge and two bunkers, among other things.

Hoogtepunten

• More than 10,000 items and about forty vehicles, tanks and guns
• Life-size scenes of the armies engaged in the Battle of Normandy
• Strabokran, a recovery vehicle of which only two examples survive in perfect condition
• Bailey bridge, American tanks, German 8.8 cm gun and two bunkers outside
• Gallery honoring the veterans

Vaste collectie

• Parcours de la bataille de Normandie – Reconstructed scenes of the preparations, German defenses, landings, the battles of Caen and the Falaise Pocket, through to the liberation of Paris.
• Hommage aux vétérans – Portrait gallery honoring the veterans, shown towards the end of the route.

Opgericht

2013

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

2026 rates. From 2027: full price €10.90, reduced rate €7.50; a preferential rate of €9.90 applies to holders of a partner placemat, the Explore Normandy Pass, the CEZAM card or partner offers. Free for children under 7, military personnel in uniform, veterans, museum staff and tour guides and interpreters, on proof. Payment in cash, by check or by bank card.

Toegankelijkheid

• Rolstoeltoegankelijk: geen informatie
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet: geen informatie
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats: geen informatie
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The outdoor area is presented as accessible to all; the website gives no information on access to the indoor galleries.

Kinderen & gezin

The museum presents history to both adults and children; the website offers an educational area for primary and secondary school pupils.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The museum is about 500 m from the American cemetery and Omaha Beach. Driving distances: Bayeux 20 km, Caen 50 km, Cherbourg 80 km. Cycling access via EuroVelo 4 (La Vélomaritime).

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

Shop of more than 250 m² (books, COBI models, regional products, souvenirs, clothing) and the “Flying Aces” aviation fashion shop; online shop.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur

The Overlord Hall Expo (400 m²) hosts events and temporary exhibitions; space rental is mentioned on the website.

Je bezoek plannen