Museums and Memorials
Oradour sur Glane
Oradour sur Glane, the 1944 massacre: On 10 June 1944, the village of Oradour-sur-Glane in the Haute-Vienne then Nazi occupied France, was destroyed; 642 of its inhabitants, including women and children, were massacred by a Nazi Waffen-SS company. The village was rebuilt on adjoining land after the war; French president Charles de Gaulle ordered the original to be maintained as a permanent memorial and museum.
The Doctors car still stands where it was parked
Memorial de la Resistance: Chasseneuil sur Bonnieure
An imposing monument on the hill, adjacent to the forest where the resistance group was based. The graves represent volunteers from near and far that fought to protect our freedom. There is a small information kiosk at the foot of the hill with information about the area.
Memorial de la Resistance
Cassinomagus Thermal Baths / Archeological Park
Vast archeological park to be discovered, thermal baths, guided tours, gardens, refreshments, a small museum and gift shop. For the children, as well as the museum itself, there are activities and costumes to dress up in. Extensive work has taken place here recently, it is well worth a visit.
Comic book museum, Angouleme
“Le Musee de la Bande Dessinée” or simply “BD” is a very serious thing in Angouleme, comic books and their authors are highly respected and there is even an annual 3 day festival dedicated to just comic books and comic strips. This museum is mainly for dedicated fans, but well worth a visit if you have children who are into comic books or wish to study art.
Museum of Angouleme
A lovely old building set out over 4 floors with exhibits ranging from prehistoric history to modern art paintings and sculptures. Recently refurbished, it is a perfect size, a bit of everything, well laid out and described (English audio available) ~ not too big that any youngsters have time to get bored. Well worth a visit.
Museum of the Resistance
Located in the former convent of the Sisters-of-Providence, Limoges; it is a permanent exhibition from the declaration or war right up to liberation (1939-45). For those keen on history it is very interesting, please note that the museum is mainly reading (in French), so the audio guide is strongly recommended; and as such, it is probably unsuitable for young children.
Closed Tuesdays.
Espace Météorite Paul Pellas
The place to discover the story of the ‘Big meteorite of Rochechouart’, with explanation panels, pictures, artist representations of the scene, interactive models, collection of meteorites and videos. With a surface area of more than 100m2, it fell over 200 million years ago; the museum explains the effects when they collide with the earth – this area is known as the ‘Astroblem of Rochechouart Chassenon’. The crater has long since disappeared, all that remains today is the glazed stone that much of the local architecture is built from.