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Oradour-sur-Glane Memory Centre

A memorial center and access point to the preserved ruins of a French village, destroyed in a Nazi massacre during World War II.

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The Oradour-sur-Glane Memory Centre serves as a poignant gateway to the ruins of a village destroyed in 1944 by the Waffen-SS. It offers historical context and commemorates the victims of the massacre, providing a space for reflection and remembrance before visitors enter the preserved ruins.

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Local tips

  • Allow ample time for your visit; the site is extensive, and the experience can be emotionally taxing.
  • Entry to the ruined village is free, but there is a charge to enter the Centre de la Mémoire.
  • The Centre de la Mémoire is the only access point to the village during opening hours.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Limoges, take the Line 192 bus directly to Oradour-sur-Glane. The bus journey takes approximately 25 minutes. A single ticket costs around €2-€4.

  • Car

    From Limoges, follow the D9 road northwest for approximately 22 km. Brown tourist signs will direct you to Oradour-sur-Glane. There is ample free parking available at the Centre de la Mémoire.

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The Oradour-sur-Glane Memory Centre stands as a solemn introduction to the haunting ruins of Oradour-sur-Glane, a village forever frozen in time following the atrocities of June 10, 1944. On that day, the village was raided by the Waffen-SS, and 642 of its inhabitants were massacred. The Centre de la Mémoire acts as both a museum and a memorial, dedicated to preserving the memory of this tragic event and educating future generations about the horrors of war. Inside the centre, exhibits detail the historical context leading up to the massacre, the events of that fateful day, and the aftermath. Photographs, films, and audiovisual materials paint a vivid picture of life in Oradour before the tragedy, making the loss all the more palpable. The center does not offer answers but encourages reflection on the events. The architecture of the building itself is designed to evoke a sense of somber contemplation, with its weathered materials and stark lines symbolizing destruction and remembrance. From the Memory Centre, visitors can walk into the ruined village, which has been preserved as a historical monument. The skeletal remains of houses, shops, and the church stand as silent witnesses to the brutality that occurred here. A visit to Oradour-sur-Glane is a powerful and emotional experience, offering a stark reminder of the consequences of intolerance and violence. The site serves as a place of pilgrimage, mourning, and a call for peace.

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