The Mémorial Pegasus Museum is a moving tribute to the brave soldiers of the British 6th Airborne Division who played a crucial role in the early hours of D-Day. Located between Caen and the Normandy coast, this modern museum preserves the memory of the first liberators who landed in France on June 6, 1944. The museum offers visitors a chance to experience the dawn of D-Day through compelling exhibits that tell the story of these airborne troops who captured and held the strategic Pegasus Bridge.
Get a discount of 15% to 70% on D-Day accommodations and tours! Look for deals here:
D-Day Hotels and Tours
When you visit the Mémorial Pegasus, you’ll be immersed in a thoughtfully designed space that chronicles the Division’s contributions throughout the Battle of Normandy from June to September 1944. The museum doesn’t just recount historical facts—it brings to life the courage and sacrifice of these soldiers who were at the vanguard of the Allied liberation of Europe.
Their story represents one of the most daring and successful operations of the D-Day landings.
Memorial Pegasus
You’ll find Memorial Pegasus in Ranville, France, where history comes alive. This fascinating war museum showcases the famous Pegasus Bridge, a key strategic target captured by British forces during the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.
When you visit, you’ll see the actual bridge that British troops seized in a daring nighttime operation. This mission was crucial to the Allied invasion’s success. The museum honors the brave British soldiers who not only captured but held this vital crossing point.
The memorial offers you a chance to step back in time to the dawn of D-Day. Through exhibits and artifacts, you can experience the courage and determination of those who fought. The museum grounds create a peaceful place to reflect on these historic events.
You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of this critical World War II moment. The museum does an excellent job telling the story of Operation Deadstick and the 6th Airborne Division‘s role in the early hours of D-Day.
Rating: 4.7 (7552 reviews)
Location: 1 Av. Major John Howard, 14860 Ranville, France
Contact: +33 2 31 78 19 44
Website: Visit Website
The Historical Significance of Mémorial Pegasus
Mémorial Pegasus stands as a powerful tribute to the brave soldiers of the British 6th Airborne Division who played a crucial role in the early hours of D-Day. The museum preserves the memory of one of the most daring operations of World War II.
Dedication to the D-Day Invasion
When you visit Mémorial Pegasus, you’re walking through a site dedicated to the very first liberators of Normandy. Located between Caen and the coast, this museum honors the men who made the ultimate sacrifice on June 6, 1944, and during the subsequent Battle of Normandy.
The museum’s name comes from the winged horse emblem worn by the British troops. On June 26, 1944, the Caen Canal bridge was officially named “Pegasus Bridge” as a tribute to these brave soldiers who wore this distinctive insignia.
What makes this memorial special is its focus on the airborne troops who landed in the earliest moments of D-Day, becoming the first Allied forces to touch French soil during the liberation.
Role in Operation Overlord
The 6th Airborne Division’s mission was critical to the success of Operation Overlord. Their primary objective was to secure the eastern flank of the invasion beaches by capturing key bridges, including the famous Pegasus Bridge over the Caen Canal.
In the pre-dawn hours of June 6, glider troops landed with remarkable precision to capture these vital crossings. The successful seizure of these bridges prevented German reinforcements from reaching the landing beaches and potentially pushing Allied forces back into the sea.
The museum exhibits tell the story of how these paratroopers and glider forces fought from June through September 1944. You’ll find artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts that bring to life the courage and determination of these soldiers who helped secure the foothold needed for the liberation of Western Europe.
Visitor Information for Mémorial Pegasus
Mémorial Pegasus offers a rich experience for visitors interested in the D-Day operations and the role of the 6th Airborne Division. The museum provides comprehensive exhibits and educational programs that bring this critical WWII history to life.
Exhibits and Displays
When you visit Mémorial Pegasus, you’ll find an impressive collection of documents, films, and authentic period objects that tell the story of the airborne operations during the Battle of Normandy. The museum’s centerpiece is the original Pegasus Bridge, which was famously captured by British forces in the early hours of D-Day.
In the outdoor park area, you can see a life-size replica of a Horsa glider used to transport troops during the invasion. This remarkable full-scale model gives you a tangible sense of the equipment used in these daring operations.
The exhibits are thoughtfully arranged to help you understand the chronology and significance of the 6th Airborne Division’s actions from June to September 1944.
Educational Programs and Tours
The museum offers guided tours in both English and French. These tours last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and take you through the museum collections, Pegasus Bridge, and the Horsa glider reproduction.
Your guide will provide detailed explanations about the remarkable story of the bridge capture and other operations conducted by the airborne troops. These tours add significant value to your visit by offering context and little-known facts about the exhibits.
For those interested in deeper learning, the museum provides educational programs suitable for various age groups. You can contact the museum directly at [email protected] to arrange special group tours or educational sessions.
Tours operate regularly throughout opening hours, making it easy to fit a visit into your Normandy itinerary.
Get a discount of 15% to 70% on D-Day accommodations and tours! Look for deals here:
D-Day Hotels and Tours
Other WW2 Museums in Normandy:
1944 Radar Museum
Airborne Museum Sainte-Merè-Église
Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema
Batterie d’Azeville
Batterie de Crisbecq
Bayeux Museum of the Battle of Normandy
Big Red One Assault Museum
D-Day Experience (Dead Man’s Corner)
Juno Beach Centre
Le Mémorial de Falaise – Les Civils dans la Guerre
Liberators Museum – Normandy 1944
Maisy Battery
Marcouf 44
Mémorial de Caen (Caen Memorial Museum)
Mémorial de Montormel
Mémorial Pegasus (Pegasus Bridge Museum)
Musée 44 La Percée du Bocage
Musée America Gold Beach (America-Gold Beach Museum)
Musée D-Day Omaha (D-Day Omaha Museum) Vierville-sur-Mer
Musée de la Bataille de Tilly-sur-Seulles
Musee de la Batterie de Merville
Musée de la Libération (Liberation Museum) Cherbourg
Musée des Epaves Sous-Marines
Musée du Débarquement (D-Day Museum) – Arromanches-les-Bains
Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach (Utah Beach Museum)
Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique
Musée Juin 44 L’Aigle
Museum Commando No. 4
Normandy Victory Museum
Omaha Beach Memorial Museum (Musée Mémorial d’Omaha Beach) Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
Overlord Museum
World War II Museum Quinéville
