We Visit The Memorial de Caen
The Esplanade In Front of the Memorial de Caen
The Memorial de Caen is both a monument to the bravery and courage of the liberators of France, both those who came from beyond the sea and those who resided in France and continued to fight a clandestine war against the occupiers of the French Nation, as well as a remembrance of the heroism and the sacrifice of the liberation and an institution dedicated to the promotion of peace. A contradiction? Perhaps. But, once a visitor has had the chance to visit the immense space within the Memorial, the seeming anomaly resolves itself. The approach to the Memorial de Caen ( notice that the institution is steadfastly never called a "Museum") is painted with the colors of the flags of the nations that formed the allies that liberated France as well as the flag of the modern state of Germany (previous to unification, the flags of both west and east Germany were flown). In fact, the flag of Germany flies in the position nearest the front entrance. This is just the first hint that the Memorial celebrates the peace that has reigned over western Europe since the end of WWII.
Additionally, there are a variety of large monumental stones sent from a number of nations, in a special display outside the Monument. Many were sent by the allies of the French in the war, but also Germany, each engraved with wishes for peace.
Guided tours and several large scale multimedia presentations present both the power and destruction of the rescue of France from its occupiers and the improvements that peace has brought.
The flags of Great Britain and the US hold places of honor in the display of flags along the esplanade leading to the main entrance to the Monument.
Examples of authentic WWII objects on display in the Memorial de Caen.
A spool on display once held the communication wire strung across France by soldiers in the US Army Signal Corps. This spool was recovered from the bottom of the English Channel.
This statue, once prominently displayed in the city of Caen, is on static display outside the Memorial. A close look reveals that the bronze has been damaged by the bombardment of Caen and subsequent burial in rubble.
The Tri Color - Victorious
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