No. 4 Commando D-Day Museum
About No. 4 Commando D-Day Museum
This museum honors the 177 French commandos of the 1st Battalion of Marine Fusiliers who landed on Sword Beach on June 6, 1944, as the only French ground troops to participate in D-Day. Founded in 1976 by veterans themselves, it displays original artifacts including combat uniforms, weapons, and personal equipment donated by soldiers and their families. A 25-minute documentary film presents their training at Achnacarry Castle in Scotland and their assault on the German-fortified casino in Ouistreham. The museum operates seasonally from February to November and closes for lunch between 13:00-14:00.
Interesting Facts
Commander Philippe Kieffer, who led the unit, was a 40-year-old banker from Haiti with no military background before joining the Free French Forces. He was wounded twice on D-Day alone - during the beach landing and again during the casino assault - yet returned to lead his men just one month after being evacuated to England.
Of the 177 French commandos who landed on June 6, 1944, only 40 remained combat-ready by the end of the 83-day Normandy campaign. By evening of D-Day itself, 10 men had been killed and 30 wounded badly enough to require evacuation to England.
The memorial 'The Flame' near the museum has 7 steps leading up to it, representing the 7 soldiers killed between the beach landing point at La Brèche and the Ouistreham Casino - a distance of roughly 500 meters that cost nearly one French life per 70 meters.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
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Museum Entry
RecommendedLocation & Practical Info
Address
Place Alfred Thomas, 14150 Ouistreham, France
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