Centre Juno Beach

Description

Situated on the beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, the Juno Beach Centre is the only Canadian museum on the D-Day beaches.

Founded by Canadian veterans in 2003, this memorial pays tribute to the 45,000 Canadians who lost their lives during the Second World War, including 5,500 during the Battle of Normandy and 381 on D-Day. Visitors are welcomed by young, bilingual Canadian guides, who passionately share the history and legacy of Canadian soldiers.

Combining history, immersion and emotion, the permanent exhibition traces Canada’s civilian and military war effort during the Second World War through five exhibition galleries and two films. It also offers a window onto Canada today. Artefacts, photographs, archives and personal accounts offer a moving experience, placing people at the heart of the exhibition. At the centre of this space, the ‘Explore Juno’ exhibition for young visitors invites families to discover Canada through specially adapted interactive displays and educational digital games. Average duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes.

The temporary exhibition ‘My Childhood, 1939–1945’ explores the daily lives of children in Normandy and Canada during the Second World War. Average duration of visit: 30 minutes.

From April to October, a guided tour of the bunkers, led by a young Canadian guide, offers an insight into the development of the Atlantic Wall defences and the history of the Canadian landings on Juno Beach. The tour includes a command post and an observation bunker built during the German occupation. Tour duration: 45 minutes.

The Juno Beach Centre combines remembrance, sustainable development and more responsible tourism.