The Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, on Voie des Français Libres, is the Canadian museum on the landing beaches. Canadian troops came ashore on Juno on 6 June 1944, and the centre tells that story alongside the wider picture of Canada in the war, from the home front to the liberation of Europe. The permanent exhibition takes about an hour and a half, and a temporary exhibition about forty-five minutes. In front of the museum, the Juno Park guided tour, led by Canadian guides and lasting about forty-five minutes, goes through the remains of a German strongpoint, including a command post and an observation bunker that cannot be seen any other way. Tours are offered in English and French, are for ages six and over, and run on a seasonal timetable with more departures in July and August. The centre suits anyone doing the British and Canadian sectors, and it is a good counterweight to the American-focused sites.
How it works
Tickets can be bought online or at the desk, and the museum visit and the Juno Park tour can be combined at a discounted price. Online tickets are non-refundable, so check the date. Arrive at least a quarter of an hour early to scan tickets. The car park takes cars, camper vans and coaches and has electric charging points. Some reduced and free rates apply with proof, and visitors who arrive by train, bus or bike can claim a low-carbon rate at the desk.
What to expect
A modern museum with a clear chronological exhibition, followed by the outdoor tour. The Juno Park tour is largely outdoors and may be cancelled in bad weather. The command post and the observation bunker, which was built months before the landings, are only accessible with a guide, while the park itself is open to anyone.
Guides are Canadian, so the story comes with a national perspective you will not get elsewhere on the coast. The English tours run in the morning and early afternoon, with a fuller timetable in July and August, and the guided tour runs almost every day outside special events.
Making the most of it
Reserve the tour for a time that works with the museum, and allow roughly half a day in total. The beach is a short walk, and Courseulles-sur-Mer, a small harbour town known for its oysters and seafood, makes a good lunch stop. Pair it with Arromanches 360 and the Overlord Museum for a combined British and Canadian sector day, or with the Caen Memorial for a wider view. In winter the opening hours are shorter, so check the schedule before you go.
What to expect
The experience
A museum of about an hour and a half, plus an optional 45-minute guided tour through German bunkers on the beach, led by Canadian guides.
Best time
Book the morning English tour, then the museum; July and August have the most departures.
How long
Two to three hours, depending on whether you take the tour.
Tips
Arrive fifteen minutes early, remember online tickets are non-refundable, and dress for the weather on the outdoor tour.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want the Canadian story and access to bunkers that can only be seen on a guided tour.
- Families
- Good for children aged six and over, who can join the tour.
- Couples
- A thoughtful half-day with lunch in Courseulles-sur-Mer afterwards.
- Pair with
- Arromanches 360 and the Overlord Museum.
- Time needed
- Half a day with the tour.
Good questions
How long does the Juno Beach Centre take?+
The permanent exhibition takes about an hour and a half, the temporary exhibition about forty-five minutes, and the Juno Park guided tour about forty-five minutes.
Are tours in English?+
Yes. Guided tours run in English and French on a seasonal timetable, with more departures in July and August.
Can children join the bunker tour?+
Individual visits are for ages six and over. Most of the tour is outdoors and can be cancelled for bad weather.
Can I buy tickets online?+
Yes, tickets are sold online and at the desk. Online tickets are non-refundable, and you should arrive at least fifteen minutes early to scan them.
Can I see the bunkers without a tour?+
The park is open to everyone, but the command post and observation bunker are only accessible on the guided tour.
