Coudehard-Montormel Memorial, World War II memorial on Hill 262 in Normandy, France
The Coudehard-Montormel Memorial stands on Hill 262 with views across the Dives Valley where critical battles of the Normandy Campaign took place. The site includes both an outdoor monument and an underground museum containing exhibitions about the fighting and the soldiers involved.
The memorial marks where Allied forces closed the Falaise Pocket on August 21, 1944, leading to the German retreat from Normandy. This battle was a turning point that accelerated the liberation of Western Europe.
The site honors soldiers from Poland, Canada, Britain, and the United States who fought and died together in this place. Visitors can see how this hill became a shared symbol of sacrifice across these different nations.
The site is easily accessible with clear paths for all visitors to explore the monument and exhibitions. It is worth allowing enough time to see both the outdoor grounds and the underground museum.
The monument was built in 1965, but the underground museum was not added until 1994, creating an unusual mix of traditional monument and modern museum architecture. This second phase significantly expanded what visitors can learn about the battle and its impact.
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