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Oradour sur Glane Memory Center

Route de Saint-Junien, Oradour-sur-Glane, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Description

Oradour-sur-Glane is a village in the Limousin region that was destroyed/burnt and its inhabitants massacred by the Waffen SS ("Das Reich" division) on 10 June 1944. The ruins of the village have been preserved and incorporated into a wider memorial area comprising the "Centre de la Memoire" and a new village has since been constructed slightly further away. The centre is housed in a mostly underground structure that is symbolically topped by what looks like rusty steel blades. The permanent exhibition focuses on the pre-massacre life of the village, the Nazi movement and the wartime course of the Das Reich tank division (this was not the only atrocity it committed in France or on the Eastern front).

Access & Transport

The village and memory centre are 22km to the northwest of Limoges (N141/D9), a 75 mins drive northeast of Angoulême, and 90 mins southeast of Poitiers.

Instructions & Recommendations

From early July to the end of August there is the option of a 75 mins guided tour of the martyr village at 10h00 and 15h00 every day except Saturdays. No booking is required and the fee is 14 €/pers (including the memorial entrance fee). Note that dogs are not allowed.

Meta review

The name of Oradour sur Glane is well known in the French population, perhaps less overseas, but visitors pretty unanimously thought the exhibits were well done and comprehensive and the overall visit was "poignant" and "sobering". The main exception are those individuals grumbling about having to pay and go through the museum to see the ruins.

Environmental & Social

Slightly negative on the environmental front (new structure and electricity). Helps preserve the historical heritage of the region & memorial purpose + educational aspects

Conclusion

We strongly recommend a visit there to history buffs and anybody who happens to be passing through the Limoges area. Not a fun activity by any means but a culturally important one. And no, we are not bothered by the fencing off of the ruined village because without the accompanying museum admission fees to finance the upkeep there would be nothing left to see since 1944.

Key positive

Well presented with educational content

The ruined village is well preserved

Key negative

-

Suitability

Parents should think about age-appropriateness although the exhibits are not overly graphic. Accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

May 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Annual closure from mid-Dec to mid-Jan. Closes at 18h00 from mid-May to mid-Sept.

av. transport time:0h 30m

est. visit time:1h 45m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Mar, 01

Season 1

MONDAY09:00 - 17:00

TUESDAY09:00 - 17:00

WEDNESDAY09:00 - 17:00

THURSDAY09:00 - 17:00

FRIDAY09:00 - 17:00

SATURDAY09:00 - 17:00

SUNDAY09:00 - 17:00

Start of Season 2:Nov, 01

Season 2

MONDAY09:00 - 16:00

TUESDAY09:00 - 16:00

WEDNESDAY09:00 - 16:00

THURSDAY09:00 - 16:00

FRIDAY09:00 - 16:00

SATURDAY09:00 - 16:00

SUNDAY09:00 - 16:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€7.8
Adult
18 - 64
€7.8
Teen & Young
10 - 17
€5.2
Child
3 - 9
€0
Infant
0 - 2
€0
Family price

Max total number:5

Max number of adults:2

Min.child age:10

Max.child age:17

Price for family€22

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