Located 60 kilometres from Château le Verdoyer, Oradour-sur-Glane invites you to a moment of contemplation and reflection upon one of the darkest episodes of the Second World War in France. This unique site, where time stood still on June 10, 1944, bears witness to the horrors of war and carries a universal message of peace that still resonates today.
It is difficult to imagine, while travelling through the delicate, verdant landscapes of the Limousin, that this peaceful region experienced such a tragedy. Visiting Oradour-sur-Glane, while deeply moving, is an essential experience to ensure we never forget and to pass on the memory of these dark hours in our history to future generations.
The massacre of June 10, 1944
A day of horror
On June 10, 1944, just days after the Allied landings in Normandy and at a time when the actions of the French Resistance were intensifying, a division of the Waffen SS ‘Das Reich’, commanded by General Lammerding, decided to make an example. The peaceful village of Oradour-sur-Glane was chosen to be the setting for a massacre of absolute barbarity.
In just a few hours, 642 people were shot or burned alive. The men were rounded up and executed in barns and garages, while the women and children were locked in the church, which was then set on fire. The SS returned the next day to complete the destruction of the buildings and the bodies. The entire village was reduced to ashes: 328 dwellings disappeared into the flames.
Preserving the ruins
In the summer of 1944, a crucial decision was made: the martyred village would remain in ruins, exactly as it was on that fateful day in June 1944. This determination to preserve the site intact aims to honour the memory of the victims and ensure that this terrible tragedy is never forgotten. The ruins were classified as a Historical Monument in 1946.
General de Gaulle himself came to pay his respects on March 5, 1945, thereby sealing the destiny of this village, which would become a sanctuary of national memory.
The Remembrance Centre
An essential visit
Built in 1999, the Remembrance Centre is now the only access point to the ruins of the martyred village. This contemporary building with its symbolic architecture guides visitors before they explore the site, helping them to understand the context of the massacre, retrace the sequence of events, and reflect on the ideological logic that led to its execution.
The historical exhibition covers 20 years of history, from 1933 to 1953, from the rise of Nazism to the national recognition of Oradour. The tour contextualises the narrative of the Second World War through a presentation of stories, testimonies, slideshows, and historical documents.
The mission of the Remembrance Centre is to bear witness, inform, and inspire reflection, while preserving a universal message of remembrance and peace. It also conducts research, supported by a documentation centre rich in archives, and assists students and teachers with a dynamic educational service.
Important information: temporary closure
Visiting the martyred village
A deeply moving journey
Visitors are free to explore the ruins of the martyr village independently at no charge. Wander through the ghostly streets where gutted facades, charred cars, everyday household items, and tram tracks tell the story of the peaceful life that existed here before the tragedy.
The silent church, where so many perished, stands as a poignant symbol of this tragedy. The blackened walls and objects frozen in time all bear witness to the unimaginable violence that descended upon this innocent village.
Guided tours
Guided tours of the martyr village are offered daily, with several time slots available each day. These tours provide a deeper understanding of the events and historical context. Booking online is mandatory as space is limited. The price includes access to the Centre de la Mémoire exhibitions (when open).
Duration of the visit
Plan for approximately 2 hours to visit the entire site: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for the martyr village and about 1 hour for the Centre de la Mémoire (outside of closure periods).
The new village of Oradour-sur-Glane
The rebirth of a village
Faced with the decision to preserve the ruins, the question of rebuilding the village arose in 1944. On November 28, 1944, the Council of Ministers, under the impetus of Interior Minister Adrien Tixier, decided to rebuild a new village while preserving the old one.
A law passed without debate and promulgated on May 10, 1946, established the framework for the reconstruction of the town, entirely at the state’s expense. The new village was built immediately to the west of the ruins, with the old and new churches located only about 500 meters apart.
The first stone of the new village was laid by the President of the Republic, Vincent Auriol, on March 5, 1949. The first building completed in 1949 housed a café-grocery store, followed progressively by the town hall, the school, the post office, and fifteen homes for families. The new church was completed in the summer of 1953.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the new town spans approximately 70 hectares and continues to develop, symbolizing life reclaiming its place while honoring the memory of those who were lost.
Practical information
Opening hours
The martyr village is accessible 7 days a week, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, from January 15 to December 15 (last entry one hour before closing).
Rates
Self-guided tours of the martyr village are free of charge. Access to the Centre de la Mémoire exhibitions requires a ticket: €7.80 for the full rate, €5.20 for the reduced rate (students, youth aged 10-18, veterans), and a family package at €22 (2 adults + 2 or more children).
Guided tours of the martyr village, which include access to the exhibitions, are available starting from €7.
Tips for your visit
It is highly recommended to start at the Centre de la Mémoire (when open) to understand the historical context before exploring the village ruins. The visit is moving and requires a respectful demeanor, in keeping with this site of remembrance.
In the event of adverse weather conditions (thunderstorms, high temperatures), certain guided tours may be cancelled for safety reasons, though self-guided tours remain possible.
A universal message of peace
Oradour-sur-Glane is more than just a place of sorrow and reflection. It is also a powerful message addressed to present and future generations: a refusal of barbarity, the necessity of remembrance, and the hope for a peaceful world.
Visiting this place, heavy with history and emotion, ensures that we do not forget the dark hours of our past and allows us to pass on the values of tolerance and respect for human life to younger generations.
For more information:
- Official website: www.oradour.org
- Phone: +33 5 55 43 04 30
