Oradour sur Glane Memorial - Destination Limoges

The village of Oradour-sur-Glane, 22 kilometers from Limoges, is known throughout the world for bearing the traces of the massacre of its population by a unit of the Waffen SS on June 10, 1944.

A city full of history

On June 10, 1944, the inhabitants of the village ofOradour-sur-Glane are massacred by a unit of soldiers from the second SS Das Reich division. This tragedy remains to this day a symbol of Nazi barbarism. The ruins of the village bear the deep scars and the route through its streets, accompanied by commemorative plaques, allows you to come back to the circumstances and the story of this tragic day in a silence specific to meditation.

We recommend that you start the visit with the Memory Center. Built in 1999, this site built near the martyr village allows us to understand the circumstances of these events and thus to preserve the message of memory and peace. His journey contextualizes the story of the Second World War from 1933, through a presentation of stories, testimonies, period documents and temporary exhibitions.

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”.

Exhibition © Oradour Sur Glane Memory Center

Access to the village

The martyr village is open 7 days on 7 from February 1 to December 15 at the same times as the Center de la Mémoire (From January 15 to February 28 then from November 1 to December 15: 9 a.m. to 16 p.m. / From March 1 to May 15 then from September 16 to October 31: 9 a.m. 17 p.m. / From May 16 to September 15, 9 a.m. to 18 p.m. depending on the period).
Last access one hour before the doors close.
Free and free access to the Martyr Village through the hall entrance to the Center of Memory. Please note: animals are not allowed.

Annual closure from December 16, 2022 to January 14, 2023 inclusive

The Memory Center

The Oradour Memory Center presents a historical and documentary exhibition on the massacre of the inhabitants on June 10, 1944 by a unit of the SS Das Reich division in the context of the Second World War. His goal is to testify, to inform and to make people think. It is a plea for peace between peoples. The events of June 10, 1944: the population of the Limousin town of Oradour-sur-Glane is massacred by a troop of about 200 Waffen SS. Preserved as it is, this site testifies since the liberation of the atrocities of the Nazis and the need for remembrance, in homage to the 642 victims of a heinous crime.

Memorial entrance © Oradour sur Glane Memory Center
© Oradour sur Glane Memory Center

Useful information

The village is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (17 p.m. in winter, 19 p.m. in summer).
Last access one hour before the doors close.
Annual closure of December 16, 2022 to January 14, 2023 inclusive. During this period, access to the village is through the iron gate, a little higher.

Dogs are not accepted. Access to the village is via the Center de la Mémoire. This access is free.

Permanent exhibition

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