May 8
How is it that there were more civilian deaths than military during the Second World War?
The Mémorial des civils dans la guerre, located in Falaise, Normandy, stands as the first museum in the world solely dedicated to civilians caught in the devastation of armed conflict. Highlighting the grim reality that over 30 million civilians perished—more than military personnel—during the Second World War, the memorial brings attention to this historic turning point in the nature of wartime suffering. Opened on 8 May 2016, the museum is uniquely situated near the birthplace of William the Conqueror, and features a remarkable archaeological find: the preserved remains of a home destroyed in an August 1944 bombing, discovered during construction and now integrated into its exhibitions. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the memorial, visitors are invited to explore three floors of history recounting occupation, resistance, and the unforgettable stories of survival and loss in cities like Saint-Lô and Le Havre, where civilian casualties reached staggering numbers.
