Today I’m sharing information on several WWII museums located in France. Of course, there are many more than the five below, but these museums stand out as some of the most informative. The quoted material and photos are taken from the websites listed below (click on the names of the museums for the links).
“Located right in the heart of Paris in the prestigious setting of the Hôtel national des Invalides, the museum is home to one of the largest military history and art collections in the world, and offers a unique overview of the history of France.””A remarkable site full of history, the Hôtel des Invalides was founded by Louis XIV to house veterans and wounded soldiers. It now forms the unique, prestigious setting for the Musée de l’Armée.” –Information quoted from musement.
The Army Museum Invalides (also known by the two names shared above) contains three rooms dedicated to WWII.
The Nazi’s officially surrendered on May 7, 1945 at 2:41 AM at this location.
“Discover this historic event which took place, in secret, in the ‘card room’ set up in the modern and technical college (now high school Roosevelt), within the headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, commanded by General Eisenhower. Archives, uniforms and objects put the months leading up to the signing of the Nazi surrender in Reims into perspective. Relive the night that changed the face of the contemporary world, by entering the signature room, a major European memory, where the end of a tragedy also heralds the beginning of a long reconciliation.”
Many consider this enormous museum to be the best WWII museum in France. Although located in Normandy, its exhibits focus on all of WWII as well as D-Day.
“Located just a few kilometers from the D-Day beaches, the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy shows visitors all the key phases of the fighting and the day by day advances of the forces involved. It is essential preparation for visiting the memorial sites of summer 1944.”
This unique museum opened in 2016 for the purpose of sharing what life was like for the civilian population of Normandy during WWII. Testimonials of how civilians in this area of France lived and survived during the occupation, including their resistance, Jewish persecution, and the allied bombings are both informative and thought-provoking.
There are many WWII museums and memorials to be found throughout the USA. I’ve included many of the major ones in this blog post. Be sure to check out the links to obtain detailed information.
“Ranked by TripAdvisor as the #1 Attraction in New Orleans, named by USA Today as a top-ranking Best Place to Learn US Military History, and designated by Congress as America’s official museum about World War II, The National WWII Museum features a rich collection of artifacts that bring history to life” (The National WWII Museum Website).
“Discover the human story of World War II in the Pacific in more than 55,000 square feet of exhibit space spread over three galleries located on six acres in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas. The National Museum of the Pacific War is the only museum in the continental U.S. solely dedicated to telling the story of WWII in the Pacific” (National Museum of the Pacific War Website).
The museum documents the Holocaust, “the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators” (USHMM website). Photos, artifacts, and testimonials give evidence to Holocaust events.
WWII artifacts, including over 15 tanks, are displayed as a part of the museum’s exhibitions. “At the American Heritage Museum you explore America’s conflicts, beginning with the Revolutionary War to today. You’ll discover, and interact with, our heritage through the History, the national effort developing new technologies of warfare, and the Human Impact of America’s fight to preserve the freedom we all hold dear” (American Heritage Museum Website).
Exhibits display aircraft flown by the Eighth Air Force, including a B-17 in the process of being restored. The mission of this museum is “to preserve for all Americans the stories of courage, character and patriotism displayed by the men and women of the Eighth Air Force from World War II to the present” (National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Sir Force Website).
“The Florida World War II Heritage Trail, a 72-page guidebook, includes color and archival photographs of Florida sites related to World War II, and biographical sketches of many men and women who played a significant role during the war. Produced by the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources in association with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs World War II Memorial Project, Florida World War II Heritage Trail features more than 150 Florida World War II-related sites and military assets in 74 Florida cities from Pensacola to Key West” (Florida Division of Historical Resources Website).
Have you visited any of these museums shared today? Have you enjoyed visiting other WWII museums which are not included in today’s blog?
