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An essential place of remembrance tourism in Limousin, 22 km from Limoges, the martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane has become a national symbol of Nazi barbarity. bears the traces of the massacre of its population which took place on June 10, 1944 by a unit of the Waffen SS, a paramilitary organization of the Nazi regime during the Second World WarThe site consists of the martyr village (a ruined village preserved since 1944) and the Memory Center, an exhibition space retracing the events leading to this act of barbarism.
The martyred village of Oradour-sur-Glane
The story of the massacre
10st June 1944 , a unit of soldiers from the 2nd SS division “Das Reich” surrounds the village ofOradour-sur-GlaneIts 643 inhabitants, men, women and children, were massacred by firearms. This tragedy remains to this day a symbol of Nazi barbarity.
The total annihilation of village of Oradour-sur-Glane and its population, the ruthless determination of the executioners raised Oradour to the rank of “archetype of the massacres of civilian populations”.
A place of memory classified as a historic monument
On November 28, 1944, the Provisional Government decided to classify and preserve the ruins of Oradour, thus consecrating its national recognition. The martyred village then becomes a symbol of France wounded by the German occupation. At the same time, the widespread dissemination of images of the ruins and the mourning reinforces the desire to make Oradour a testimony anchored in the collective memory. Little by little, the ruins are transformed into a place of contemplation, where visitors are invited to meditate on this tragic past. Classified as historic monuments in 1946, the ruins of the martyred village attract every year 300 000 visitors.
Temporary closure from September 17, 2025 to June 2027
The Oradour-sur-Glane memory center
Built in 1999. near the martyred village, the memory center retraces the circumstances of this tragedy. It thus aims to testify, to inform and to make people think his audience and preserve the message of memory and peace.
It presents a historical and documentary exhibition on the massacre, retracing 20 years of history from 1933 to 1953, from the rise of Nazism to the national recognition of Oradour. His journey contextualizes the story of World War II through a presentation of stories, testimonies, slideshows, period documents and temporary exhibitions.
When visiting both sites, we recommend starting with the memory center to understand the circumstances of these events.
Visitor information
Opening dates and times
- The Martyr Village is accessible 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., from January 18 to December 15, 15 inclusive.
- The Memory Center is open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., from January 18 to September 15, 16 inclusive.
To know
- Access to the village is free and is done by the Memory Center
- Parking under video surveillance
- Animals, scooters, bicycles, roller skates are prohibited in the martyred village and in the memory center.
Pricing
Permanent exhibition of the memory center
- Individual price: € 7.80
- Family package (2 adults + 2 or more children): €22
- Reduced price : 5.20 € on presentation of proof: students – young people aged 10 to 18, veterans and war victims – wards of the Nation.
- Free admission : upon presentation of proof: under 10, job seekers, disabled (not systematic – to be seen on site), journalists, ICOM members, bus drivers accompanying a group. Temporary exhibition: Entry €2
- Group rate: Check the page dedicated to groups
Coming to the memory center
By car
- RN 141 (Limoges-Saint-Junien) then RD 9 (Towards Oradour-sur-Glane)
- RN 147 (Poitiers – Bellac – Limoges) then at Chamborêt D711
- From Bellac, D675 (Towards Saint-Junien) then D9
- A20 Motorway, Exit 28
- Taxis in Oradour sur Glane: 05 55 03 20 81 / Fax: 05 55 03 29 74
- Bus line Limoges > Oradour sur Glane: line 12
By train
- In Limoges: Benedictine Station
- In Saint-Junien: SNCF train station
By plane
Via Limoges Bellegarde International Airport
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the history of Oradour-sur-Glane?
Le June 10, 1944, a unit of the Waffen-SS massacred the entire population of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane. Since then, the village has been preserved in ruins and classified historic monument in 1946. Today, it constitutes a an essential place of remembrance in Limousin, a national symbol of Nazi barbarism, and attracts nearly 300 000 visitors came to remember and better understand the history of the Second World War.
What is there to visit in Oradour-sur-Glane?
Le martyred village, preserved in ruins since 1944, and the Memory Center, an exhibition space retracing the history of the drama and its context.
Please note: the Memory Center will be closed from September 17, 2025 until June 2027.
What are the opening dates and hours of the Oradour-Sur-Glane Memory Center?
The Oradour-sur-Glane memory center is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. from January 15 to December 15The last accesses of the day are made one hour before the site closes.
Please note: the Memory Center will be closed from September 17, 2025 until June 2027.
When will the Oradour-sur-Glane Memory Center be closed?
From September 15, 2025, the Center will be closed until June 2027 for work. A temporary reception point will be installed in the parking lot to inform visitors and allow access to the martyr village during this period.
Is visiting Oradour-sur-Glane free?
La free visit to the martyred village is free, during the site's opening hours (last access one hour before closing). The Memory Center is payable: € 5,80 for an adult, € 5,20 at a reduced rate (2025 rates). Guided tours are also available.
How long does the visit to Oradour-sur-Glane last?
The visit lasts approximately 2 hours, count 45 min to 1h30 for the martyred village and 1h for the Memory Center.
Can you visit Oradour-sur-Glane with children?
The visit to the martyr village and the Memory Center is very trying and can be overwhelming even for adults. It is therefore recommended towait until middle school age, when children have already studied the Second World War at school. The Memory Center provides a better understanding of the historical context and helps address children's emotions and questions. If you live in Limousin, your children will likely visit Oradour-Sur-Glane during a school trip, supervised by professionals who will be able to explain the events and place them in history.
What are the memorial sites to visit in Haute-Vienne?
- The martyred village and the memory center of Oradour-Sur-Glane, witnesses and retracing the massacre of 643 people by the Nazis in 1944.
- The various guided tours of the City of Art and History in Limoges tracing the history of the Resistance in Limoges by district:
– “Limoges 1939-1945: Fairground District”
– “Limoges 1939-1945: Station District”
– “Limoges 1939-1945: Jourdan District”
All guided tours
- The Resistance Museums of Limoges and Peyrat-le-château
- Mount Gargan, a high place of Resistance during the Second World War at an altitude of 731 meters, emblematic in Haute-Vienne.
- THEIzis space in Ambazac exhibiting the work of one of the greatest post-war photographers, Israëlis Bidermanas, nicknamed Izis.
- The Maquisards' Caches in Cussac in the Bourbon forest, remains of resistance hiding places
More information and inspiration on our page:
https://www.destination-limoges.com/groupes-et-congres/groupes/memoire-groupes/
Where to stay in Oradour-sur-Glane?
Discover all the accommodation available on the departmental website Visitlimousin (on the page, you can filter by municipality by searching for “Oradour-Sur-Glane”).
What can you visit around Oradour-sur-Glane?
Within a radius of around twenty kilometers, several wonderful discoveries await you:
- The Museum of Contemporary Art installed in the Rochechouart castle
- Picturesque villages : Montrol-Sénard and its open-air eco-museum, Mortemart (listed Most Beautiful Village of France®) or even Le Dorat (Little City of Character®)
- The Corot site in Saint-Junien, a little corner of nature which inspired the painter Camille Corot
- The Monts de Blond, for a stroll between forests, legendary stones and remarkable panoramas
For more ideas for outings in Haute-Vienne, discover our page “100km around Limoges: The best place to be”
