Collection
Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France has an incredibly large collection of armored vehicles and tanks, if not the biggest. With over 880 tanks and vehicles fully restored and more than 200 of these in running condition, divided over 15 showroom halls, it is one of the most complete and extensive collections in the world.
You can view the collection ranging from the beginning of tank warfare divided into categories by Theatre of War, representing tanks and vehicles from France, United States, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, countries of the former Soviet Union, Portugal, Israel, Brazil and so on.
Even though the museum has a vast collection, the tanks and vehicles have been set up with room enough to experience them from multiple sides and are not crammed as you sometimes find in other museums. Another big plus is that most of the information signs are in multiple languages including English, which is pretty unique considering this is a French museum.
Guided tours
It is also possible to book a guided tour during working days, but be sure to book ahead of your visit as the number of participants is limited. We do not know if these tours include English guides.
Visit
Your visit will take up a good part of the day in this museum, 4 to 6 hours can be easily spend here. Check out the museum website for opening times.
the tiger has been on tour to military tracks in Overloon.
Hi Alex, missed that one. Thanks for the update
My father drove an M 26 armored tank recovery vehicle in France from D Day +3 till the end of the war. I’m looking for one on display and didn’t know if you had one at your museum.
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for your response. First, this is not our museum, we are basically two blokes who love history and write about the places we visit. We have some great guest writers like Alex, our friend who responded before you on this article.
Honestly I do not recall a M25 with an M26 armored semi-tractor in this museum but we did encounter one or two in the Overloon Museum in the Netherlands. We visited this museum in the past and the vehicle will be a part of our vehicle collection page. There is a little work for us there by your request. Besides an article from us with photos from a museum, is there anything to share from your fathers history in tekst or photos to add to an article on this vehicle? (contact us on Landmarkscout@gmail.com please). Thank you for reaching out to us.