Blackwater Museum 39/45 Berjou
About This Museum
Tucked away in the Normandy countryside near Berjou, the Blackwater Museum 39/45 is a profoundly personal dedication to the Battle of Normandy. It all started with one man's passion for unearthing and preserving the stories etched into this very soil. You won't find sterile glass cases here; instead, you're met with incredibly detailed dioramas that place you right in the hedgerows, and personal effects that still seem to carry the weight of their owners. The air is thick with a quiet reverence, making it feel less like a museum and more like a sacred space for remembrance.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the collection is a painstakingly recreated command post, complete with period radios and maps. Look closely at the displays of soldiers' personal kits—a worn photograph, a rusted canteen—each one a silent, powerful story. They also have several recovered vehicles and artillery pieces that saw action in the fierce local fighting.
Visitor Information
It's best to check their hours before you make the trip, as it's often run by dedicated volunteers. The location in Berjou puts you right in the middle of the 'Falaise Pocket,' so driving through the area after your visit makes the history feel incredibly immediate.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a modest, traditional Norman stone building that feels as much a part of the landscape as the history it protects.
Contact & Location
Address: Berjou, Argentan, Orne, Normandie, France métropolitaine, 61430, France
Phone: +33 6 66 62 94 09
Website: Visit Website
