MUSEE DE LA PERCÉE DU BOCAGE
ST MARTIN-DES-BESACES

This excellent museum takes a different approach to most of the others on the Normandy battlefield, by concentrating on a particular action - largely the events of Operation Bluecoat from 30th July to early August 1944. This saw the final British advance before the Battle of the Falaise Pocket, and was an important and decisive part of the fighting.

While only small, the museum has numerous artifacts, several life-size dioramas and over 200 photos of the fighting in this area. One of the highlights is a huge 1/35th scale model of the battlefield around St Martin des Besaces, where you follow the story of the action there and hear the personal stories of many of the men. You are guided round the museum by a recording device that explains in English the context of the exhibits you are looking at. An average visit takes 35/40 minutes, and there is a well stocked bookshop with some titles that are often not available in some of the other museums. Highly recommended.

The museum is open in May over weekends and national holidays (eg. bank holidays), and from 1st June to 15th September every day, except Tuesday. Open hours are: 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00.

The museum is located south of the main N175 on the western edge of the village, and is well signposted from the centre of St Martin-des-Besaces. There is parking to one side.

For further details contact:

Musee de la Percée du Bocage
St Martin des Besaces

Tel: 0033 2 31 67 52 78

©Paul Reed 2002-2006