The Merville Battery Museum

The Merville Battery was the German artillery position guarding the eastern flank of the invasion coast, at Merville-Franceville across the Orne from Sword Beach. In the last hours of darkness on June 6, 1944, the British 9th Parachute Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway stormed it with a fraction of the planned force, and the preserved site is now a museum built through the original bunkers.

An aerial view of the Merville Battery Museum.
An aerial view of the Merville Battery Museum

What You Will See

An educational trail with an audio guide runs between the casemates across several hectares of preserved ground. In the main bunker, a sound-and-light show every 20 minutes recreates the bombardment and the pre-dawn assault. A genuine Douglas C-47 Dakota that flew on D-Day night stands in its own hangar at the entrance. The visit takes about 90 minutes; most of the site is wheelchair-accessible, dogs are allowed, and parking is free.

Hours and Tickets

The site opens daily from March 15 to September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and from October 1 to November 15, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with last entry at 5 p.m. It closes from mid-November to mid-March. Adult entry costs 8€, children 6 to 14 pay 5€, children under 6 enter free, and the reduced rate is 7€, at 2026 rates. Details at batterie-merville.com.

Getting There

Merville-Franceville sits 15 minutes east of Ouistreham across the Orne, about 30 minutes from Caen. The battery pairs naturally with Pegasus Bridge and Sword Beach on a British-sector day. Our guide to the ten best D-Day museums in Normandy covers the wider region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at the Merville Battery?
In the pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944, the British 9th Parachute Battalion under Terence Otway assaulted the battery with about 150 men of a planned 750, after scattered drops, and silenced it before the seaborne landings began at Sword Beach.

How much does the Merville Battery cost?
Adult entry costs 8€, children 6 to 14 pay 5€, and children under 6 enter free, at 2026 rates.

What are the opening dates and hours?
The site opens daily from March 15 to September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and from October 1 to November 15, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with last entry at 5 p.m. It closes over winter.

Is the C-47 at Merville real?
Yes. The Douglas C-47 Dakota displayed at the entrance flew on the night of June 5 to 6, 1944, and now stands in a purpose-built hangar on the site.