It's a shame. I live close to one of the best museums for any military-minded person, yet haven't visited in 5-years. Until a few weeks ago. It's big. Vast in fact, and there's more than enough to keep the interest of any ardent WW2 fanatic. But there's more than just Panthers, Stuarts, Chafees and the EU's only working King Tiger. There are displays from just about every nation, from the birth of the internal combustion engine right through to the modern day era. I've just uploaded some images to my flickr account. Just the WW2 stuff. But if anyone's interested, I'll certainly upload more, and include some real curiosities for you? Here's a taster. And the set can be found here: Musée des Blindés, Saumur - a set on Flickr
Very cool! The quality and condition of the vehicles is impressive- though with two Tigers, would be hard for it NOT to be impressive! I like the background bits on some of the exhibits, the diorama-ish aspect. Very well done, reminds me of the Bovington museum. Related- watched this a couple days ago- youtube of the King Tiger running. Awesome. YouTube - Tigre II Musée des Blindés Saumur
This museum is - along with Remagen Bridge - right up there in my top-priority places-to-visit list ! One day, one day....................................
Merci beaucoup, bonne photographie aussi!, sorry for the type size, trying to compesate for eyesight and over did it ! Makes our Aberdeen display look shabby.
Martin, I too want to visit Saumur. I understand the French actually assembled a unit of Panthers in the immediate post war era . The should have an excellent one there. In 1980 I took a river boat from Mainz headed to Amsterdam and was nicely surprised to see a Remagen sign on the bank of the Rhine. On the northern bank one could clearly see the train tunnel entry and a road running along the bank. I was surprised to see no new bridge had been built. It was a moving experience. The fortress like bridge towers remain ominous and impressive on both sides. Gaines
If yo ugo to Saumur on the right day they will start the engine of the Tiger for you. The sound is unique and stunning it is really worth the experience.
Cheers Skipper! I think my wife would agree with you! If anyone does want to know more about the Tank Museum, I'm only too happy to oblige. They have some really good panoramas detailing the Battle of Saumur at the moment.
I've been adding some video footage to my website, and I came across this one of the Musée des Blindés. In French, but some great footage of the tanks in action both at the museum and at the Carrousel de Saumur. The Carrousel is held each year at the Cadré Noir in Saumur. It's basically a military tattoo, with a display of the most incredible horsemanship as well as motorised cavalry too. The Cadré Noir (for those of you who don't know) is the French National School of Equitation. CLIP - MUSEE DES BLINDES DE SAUMUR
