Inaugurated on June 6, 1988 by François Mitterrand, Le Mémorial de Caen is a modern museum dedicated to the history of the 20th century. Its innovative and emotionally charged presentation invites the visitors to take a journey through history and a consideration of the planet's future in three museum spaces: the Second World War, the Cold War and the theme of Peace.
The "World War II" area contains:
The failure of peace
1918: the end of the First World War suffered disastrous consequences that announced a sequence of events leading to the Second World War.
France in the Dark Years
This space tells you the Occupied France through both movements which divided the population at that time: Collaboration and Resistance. The horror of Deportation, integral part of the French daily life, is the subject of a dedicated museum space.
World War – Total War
Consecrated to the war effort, this space presents both the planetary character of the Second World War, with the presentation of the East Front and also the total involvement of nations, the military and civilians.
"D Day", June 6, 1944 - directed by Jacques Perrin (20 minutes)
Two simultaneous screens propose you, on the left, the last preparations of the Allies and, on the right, the German defence on the Norman coasts.
"From the Battle of Normandy to the end of war", June 1944 – May 1945 (20 minutes)
You may follow and visualize on a map one hundred days of fierce battle in Normandy.
For current visiting hours, please visit the website of the museum.
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