The D-Day with your family

Our selection of museums and activities to enjoy with your children

On 6 June 1944, the Allies landed in Normandy. La Manche has lots of sites and museums that tell the story and maintain the memory of the Second World War and of 6 June 1944. At the weekend or in the holidays, why not bring your family to visit these places steeped in history? Guided visits, educational activities for children, tours in historic vehicles and collections of wartime artefacts: see our family selection for interesting ways to teach children about the history of the Battle of Normandy.

D-Day Experience

discovering history with the whole family

Carentan les Marais

A unique flight simulator, a 3D cinema, an impressive collection of authentic wartime artefacts, and much more. There’s something for everyone with the different immersive areas at the D-Day Experience. Step on board an authentic C-47 and head for Normandy on that fateful night in 1944. After a 3D briefing, climb aboard and prepare for take-off: become a paratrooper of the 101st Airborne Division! A unique experience for the whole family, and a great way to pass on the history and preserve the memory of D-Day.

Tip: Download the educational guides specially designed for children and enjoy a fun visit with a quiz, colouring, games and more!

Book

Normandy Victory Museum

take the family for a tour in a jeep

Carentan

In Normandy, the Second World War didn’t end on D-Day. The months that followed saw heavy fighting, with the Battle of the Hedgerows. You and your family will find out about the weeks of war leading up to the liberation, including the towns that were destroyed, the daily life of people in Normandy, and how the Allies took back power. Inside the museum you’ll find reconstructions, old military vehicles, genuine artefacts and exhibitions. To top off your visit, hop on board an authentic Dodge WC for a guided historical tour of the area around the museum.

Tip: During your visit, you can climb aboard an actual landing craft and watch a film made with a veteran.

Normandy Victory Museum

Airborne Museum

relive the D-Day parachute drops with your children

Sainte-Mère-Église

At the Airborne Museum, children can step into the shoes of the American paratroopers during the Second World War. The whole family will be transported back to join the soldiers boarding a plane, ready to jump over Sainte-Mère-Eglise to liberate the town. With the sound of engines, and bombs exploding, you feel like you’re actually there! During the visit, children can enjoy a treasure hunt with a Histopad tablet. The goal is to find artefacts from the war hidden all over the museum.

Tip: Booklets with games and colouring are available for children.

Book

Festivities and Commemorations

Military vehicle parades, parachute drops, militaria fairs, and reenactments of military camps.... every year, La Manche celebrates the anniversary of D-Day. A family event not to be missed.

The anniversary of D-Day

Musée du Débarquement

a fun way to learn about D-Day

Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Situated on Utah Beach, one of the five landing beaches, the Musée du Débarquement is a must-see. In a huge hangar, you’ll be amazed by the B-26 bomber, of which there are only a few left in the world. With its 19-metre wingspan, it’s quite a sight! To help children to better understand the D-Day events, the museum provides three educational booklets aimed at different ages. In summer, you and your family can take a guided tour.

Tip: Don’t miss the 15-minute documentary, “Victory Beach”, to relive the experience of the American soldiers.

The Musée du Débarquement

The airship hangar in Ecausseville

fly like a bird

The Second World War has left La Manche with a number of surprising and unexpected sites to visit. One of these is the airship hangar in Ecausseville. Standing at 31 metres high and 150 metres long, it’s an impressive building. Inside, you can try a unique activity: a flight in an Aéroplume®, which is a one-person blimp. Lying in a harness under a balloon full of helium, you can fly around the hangar using the strength of your arms. An unforgettable experience!

Tip: Activity accessible for children over 7 years of age. Book your flight online!

The airship hangar