D-Day shipwreck museum
D-Day and Battle of Normandy museums
The D-Day shipwreck museum located near Port-en-Bessin allows you to discover exceptional vestiges of the landing of Normandy, as they were left in June 1944. This private collection has been gathered for nearly thirty years: amphibious tanks, self-propelled guns, bulldozers and other artillery turrets from warships can be seen, as well as personal items found on board.
This permanent exhibition has its origin in the initiative of Jacques Lemonchois. The latter was in charge in 1970 by the French State to facilitate navigation in the Bay of Seine by scraping the dangerous wrecks that sleep off the Normandy coast since the end of Operation Overlord. This professional diver lists dozens of vestiges that prove to be equally dangerous for navigation. He organizes their evacuation, taking care to preserve them because of their historical value.
Before returning to the surface of the amphibious tanks or some troop-carrying vehicles, Jacques and his team took care to check that these wrecks did not contain the remains of allied soldiers. When bones were found during dives, the gear was deliberately left at the bottom of the water, such as underwater coffins. Jacques Lemonchois passed away in 2007.
Useful information
Contact
Address: L’Épinette, D6, 14520 Commes
Telephone: +33 2 31 21 17 06
Access
Parking :
Car park near the museum.
