D-DAY 80 – 80th anniversary of D-Day
The 80th anniversary of D-Day is a historic anniversary. All of Normandy was mobilised to pay international tribute to those who reopened the doors of freedom in Europe. As every year, the Normandy Victory Museum took part in this tribute by offering a varied programme.
This major event, endorsed by the Normandy Region, took place from 1 to 12 June 2024 at the Normandy Victory Museum.
Saturday 1st June
1st June, around 9.45am
The “La voie de la liberté” bike ride, bringing together several hundred cyclists, will stop off at the Normandy Victory Museum.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
Sunday 2 June
2 June, all day
HVCA (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande/ Living History of German Cavalry) exhibition: Presentation of German carriages and artillery
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
2 June, during the day (3 demonstrations, times to be announced)
Horse-drawn convoy by the association (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande): parade of German and civilian carriages.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
2 June, from 10am to 12pm
Signing session: Philippe Esvelin is a member of the association Les Ecrivains combattants (The Fighting Writers) and the National World War II Glider Pilots Association. He worked for eight years on this work of more than 400 pages which relates the history of American gliders during the Second World War:
Winged Commandos
. It is a very detailed reference work including maps, portraits, more than 600 photos and unpublished documents.
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: free/open to all – The book will be available in stores at the price of €69
2 June, in the afternoon
Presentation and demonstrations of airborne troop equipment by the ETO Group re-enactment group.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
2 June, in the evening
40s/50s concert with the Madeeson band
- Where: A10 Canteen Restaurant terrace
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
Monday 3rd June
3 June, all day
HVCA (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande/ Living History of German Cavalry) exhibition: Presentation of German carriages and artillery
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
3 June, from 10am to 6pm
Book signing: Maxime Mainguet, journalist, signs his first novel, Heure H, set in the early days of the Normandy Landings.
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
3 June, between 11.30am and 3pm
Exhibition of some sixty US military vehicles: The UNIVEM association (Union Nationale des collectionneurs de Véhicules Militaires) is organising a convoy that will stop off at the Normandy Victory Museum for a few hours.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
3 June, between 2.30pm and 5pm
Sylvie Caillard will dedicate her brand new book: “La mode des années 40, s’habiller sans renoncer” (Fashion of the 40s, dressing without giving up).
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: free / the book will be available in store
3 June, at 5pm
1940s civilian fashion competition: If you would like to take part in this fashion show, please register with Séverine AVON on +33 6 26 17 29 28. Around fifteen people will be selected.
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
Tuesday 4 June
4 June, all day
HVCA (Histoire Vivante de Cavalerie Allemande/ Living History of German Cavalry) exhibition: Presentation of German carriages and artillery
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, from 9am to 10.30am
Departure of the “NOTEK” column: Display of several dozen German vehicles and departure of the convoy
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, from 10am to 6pm
Martin LONG will be signing his book : La voleuse des marais.
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: free / the book will be available in our store (French or English version)
4 June, from 10am to 6pm
Historian Benoit Lelandais will be on hand with a dozen re-enactors to present American uniforms and equipment.
- Where: in the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
- The presentation takes place in French. The speaker is bilingual French/English.
4 June, from noon to 3pm
Return, exhibition and departure of the Harley bikes. The 150 bikers return for lunch and display their bikes.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, at 3pm and 5pm
Demonstration of the Sherman tank used in the film ‘Fury’, by the team from Jeep Sud Est
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, around 5pm
Return of the NOTEK column: The NOTEK column returns and displays the vehicles until the museum closes.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
4 June, at 6.30pm
Screening of the documentary “Little Black Devils”: using archive footage, eyewitness accounts and reconstructions, the film tells the story of the men of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles (3rd Canadian Infantry Division) who landed on Juno beach on 6 June 1944.
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: €5 with reservation (on our website)
- Presentation in French and bilingual presenters (French/English) – Duration: 52 min.
Wednesday 5 June
5 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
5 June, from 10am to 6pm
Book signing: Julien DEFER, collector and Norman history enthusiast, will be signing his 360-page book L’occupation en Normandie, which contains over 500 previously unpublished photos. (The book is in french)
- Where: Museum reception hall
- Price and conditions: free (the book will be available in the museum shop for €39.90 – Only in french)
5 June, from 10am to 7pm
Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean, Sylvie and Eric Kersch).
- Where: inside the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
5 June, from 11am to 3.30pm
Gathering of vintage tractors and trucks: Around ten Chevrolet vehicles will be on display.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
5 June, from 2pm to 4.30pm
Several American veterans will be at the museum to share their stories and answer questions from the public.
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
- Testimonials and discussions in English with a bilingual presenter
5 June, from 2pm to 4.30pm
Andrew Biggio, the author of The Rifle, who accompanies the veterans, will be on hand to sign volume 2 of his book.
- Where: Greenfield room or reception hall
- Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
5 June, from 5pm to 6.30pm
Lecture “The Germans in Normandy”: Historian Valentin SCHNEIDER, a specialist in the Second World War in Europe, presents the life of German soldiers in Normandy before and during the battle.
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
- Conference in French
Thursday 6 June
6 June, all day
Saumur tanks exhibition: you can get up close to the tanks and talk to members of the armoured museum
- Where: designated area outside the museum
- Prices and conditions: access with museum entrance ticket
6 June, all day
Book signing: Max Stein will be present to present and sign his book : The Tiger of Saumur, the fauve’s ressurection (bilingual book)
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: Free (book available to buy in the museum shop for €19.90)
6 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
6 June, from 10am to 7pm
Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean, Sylvie and Eric Kersch).
- Where: inside the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
6 June, at 11am and around 3/ 4pm
Tank demonstrations: the Musée des Blindés de Saumur (French Army) will be giving a number of demonstrations of working tanks.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
6 June, at 4pm
Conference “The US Air Force in Normandy“: Conference on American aviation in Normandy, by Grégory PONS, historian and author of several works on the subject. He will be accompanied by his friend Jean-Marie Guillou, a specialist in historical aeronautical illustration who will be speaking at the conference and whose illustrations you can find in our shop.
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: free of charge / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
- Conference in French
Friday 7 June
7 June, all day
Saumur tanks exhibition: you can get up close to the tanks and talk to members of the armoured museum
- Where: designated area outside the museum
- Prices and conditions: access with museum entrance ticket
7 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
7 June, from 10 am to 7 pm
Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean, Sylvie and Eric Kersch).
- Where: inside the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
7 June, at 11am and around 3/ 4pm
Tank demonstrations: the Musée des Blindés de Saumur (French Army) will be giving a number of demonstrations of working tanks.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
7 June, from 3.30 to 4.30 pm
Book signing: Historian and author Benoit Rondeau will be signing several of his books before his lecture on the preparations for D-Day.
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: Free (books available for purchase in the museum shop)
7 June, from 4.30 to 5.30 pm
Conference “Preparing for D-Day”: Benoit Rondeau looks back at the long and meticulous preparations for D-Day by the Allies
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: Free / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
- Conference in French
7 June, from 6pm to 7pm
Conference “Influencers and the duty to remember”: Romain from Militarymachine.fr, Jordan from Passion militaria and Yan from Good Morning Army will look back on their journey as influencers on social networks. How can you share your passion for military history while preserving the duty of memory on the internet?
- Where: Greenfield room
- Price and conditions: Free / free seating on a first-come, first-served basis
- Conference in French
7 June, at 7 pm
US Army Orchestra: around twenty American soldiers will be present for a military music concert. This performance will be preceded by a speech given by a US army official and an overview of the museum will take place (the type of aircraft will be revealed to you later)
- Where: A10 Canteen terrace
- Prices and conditions: Free / open to all
7 June, in the evening
Swing Melodies Orchestra concert
- Where: A10 Canteen Restaurant terrace
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
Saturday 8 June
8 June, all day
Saumur tanks exhibition: you can get up close to the tanks and talk to members of the armoured museum
- Where: designated area outside the museum
- Prices and conditions: access with museum entrance ticket
8 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
8 June, from 10am to 6pm
Signing session: Scriptwriter Jean-Blaise DJIAN signs the various volumes of the must-have Normandie Juin 44 comic strip series.
- Where: reception hall
- Price and conditions: Free (books available for purchase in the museum shop)
8 June, from 10am to 7pm
Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean, Sylvie and Eric Kersch).
- Where: inside the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
8 June, at 11am, 3pm and possibly a last one at around 5pm (not sure)
Tank demonstrations: the Musée des Blindés de Saumur (French Army) will be giving a number of demonstrations of working tanks.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
Sunday 9 June
9 June, all day
Saumur tanks exhibition: you can get up close to the tanks and talk to members of the armoured museum
- Where: designated area outside the museum
- Prices and conditions: access with museum entrance ticket
9 June, at 9.30am and 7pm
Raising (9.30am) and lowering (7pm) of the Belgian Army colours: The soldiers of the Special Operations Regiment (Belgian Special Forces) officially raise their national colours for the day.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
9 June, from 10am to 7pm
Enigma, Morse & Cartography and radio workshops: presentation of rare equipment, demonstrations and explanations by enthusiasts (Edmond Kern, Patrick Grandjean, Sylvie and Eric Kersch).
- Where: inside the museum
- Prices and conditions: admission with museum ticket
9 June, at 11am, 3pm and possibly a last one at around 5pm (not sure)
Tank demonstrations: the Musée des Blindés de Saumur (French Army) will be giving a number of demonstrations of working tanks.
- Where: Outside the museum
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
9 June, around 2.30pm
40s/50s concert with the Madeeson band
- Where: A10 Canteen Restaurant terrace
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
9 June, in the evening
Swing Melodies Orchestra Concert
- Where: A10 Canteen Restaurant terrace
- Price and conditions: free/open to all
From 10 to 12 June 2024
Ongoing programming
A number of events are in the pipeline for the remaining three days, and details will be announced shortly.
The final programme is now largely set. A few other events may be added, and any missing items will be confirmed shortly. Sign up to receive email updates.
Tours in a 1944 DODGE WC
For a few days, our guided tours in DODGE will be adapted to the event by offering a route created for the occasion: the D-DAY Special (if you are interested, book quickly, many slots are already full).
Catering on site
During this period, the A10 Canteen, a brasserie restaurant, welcomes you next to the museum. Reservations strongly advised on 02 33 54 51 83.
The exhibitors
From 27 May to 16 June
“Omaha Memories”: virtual reality experience on the theme of Omaha ( admission fee required).
This experience is a vibrant tribute to the memory of our ancestors and to all those who courageously defended freedom. With this in mind, it has been designed to be accessible to a wide audience, from the age of 8 upwards, as well as to people with reduced mobility. An immersive seated walk option has been incorporated, allowing everyone to participate fully in this memorable experience.
Find all the information and bookings on the Ymagine studio website: Omaha Memories
From 4 to 9 June
The Belgian Special Operations Regiment will be presenting part of its para-commando history from its creation in 1944, with several items on display (see below). We remind you that you can also watch the raising and lowering of their colours over these few days at 9.30am and 7pm.
Elements of the exhibition
- A Willys Jeep from the Second World War
- Mannequins wearing clothes from then and now
- A historic SAS map of Europe dating from 1944
- Historical videos of para commando missions
- Weapons of the past and present to mark the evolution in this field
- A series of large posters showcasing some of the battles that involved Belgium in 1944.
From 27 May to 16 June
Stock Américain : Shop for military surplus, militaria reproductions and souvenirs
From 27 May to 9 June
Norman Kits: Sale of Second World War models
From 5 to 11 June
Militaria flea market: Sale of original militaria items
From 2 to 9 June
Steack detective: they’ll be there with an original concept based around beef and history.
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Visual Credits
The visuals on this page come from various sources. They are used in compliance with copyright laws or under specific permissions. Below are the corresponding credits:
- Featured image: Normandy Victory Museum
- Char Fury : Patrick Grandjean with the photographer’s permission and logo Vintage Jeep with tpermission.
- Tiger: Normandy Victory Museum
- Enigma: Gregory Oswald with the photographer’s permission.
- Dodge: Marcio Barreira with the photographer’s permission.
- Restaurant: Jim Prod with the photographer’s permission.
- Exhibitors’ logos, used with permission.
- Featured image – used in previews (social media, post listings, etc.): Normandy Victory Museum
- Logos of institutions and partners – Visuals used for informational purposes, reproduction authorized in accordance with institutional practices
≡ If you believe that one of the visuals used on this page belongs to you and was reproduced by mistake, please contact us so we can promptly correct the situation.
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