Year after year, the museum evolves and transforms in line with our museum projects, but also thanks to discoveries and donations from visitors. Year after year, the museum evolves and transforms in line with our museum projects, but also thanks to discoveries and donations from visitors.
Every winter, we take advantage of the annual closure to carry out maintenance work, restore equipment, and add new content to the display cases. Every winter, we take advantage of the annual closure to carry out maintenance work, restore equipment, and add new content to the display cases.
Former German command post during the occupation, and particularly during the fighting in the summer of 1944, this historic site, now a museum, regularly hosts commemorations and historical reenactments. Former German command post during the occupation, and particularly during the fighting in the summer of 1944, this historic site, now a museum, regularly hosts commemorations and historical reenactments.
2021
Sherman tank restoration
At the end of 2020, we were delighted to receive a 1944 American Sherman M4A1-76W tank, entrusted to the museum by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. In spring 2021, we began its restoration: replacing missing parts, sandblasting, painting, tactical markings! At the end of 2020, we were delighted to receive a 1944 American Sherman M4A1-76W tank, entrusted to the museum by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. In spring 2021, we began its restoration: replacing missing parts, sandblasting, painting, tactical markings!
2022
David Birkin’s uniform
In 2021, we met Jane Birkin, whose father was a navigator on the fast boats of the British intelligence services. During the war, he took part in night operations to infiltrate and extract secret agents from occupied France, notably at Landéda, in northern Finistère.In 2021, we met Jane Birkin, whose father was a navigator on the fast boats of the British intelligence services. During the war, he took part in night operations to infiltrate and extract secret agents from occupied France, notably at Landéda, in northern Finistère.
A wonderful meeting with Jane, who kindly gave us the transcripts of her father’s account, as well as photographs and period films. In 2022, Jane and her sister Linda came to the museum to entrust us with their father David’s uniform, which has since been displayed in the room dedicated to special services and commandos.A wonderful meeting with Jane, who kindly gave us the transcripts of her father’s account, as well as photographs and period films. In 2022, Jane and her sister Linda came to the museum to entrust us with their father David’s uniform, which has since been displayed in the room dedicated to special services and commandos.
2023
Liberty marker
Liberty markers are a powerful symbol of the liberation of France, and we thought it would be interesting to install one in front of the museum, at the westernmost point of the country!
After Clément restored it, we placed it in front of the museum, decorated with the insignia of the liberators of the Iroise area! After Clément restored it, we placed it in front of the museum, decorated with the insignia of the liberators of the Iroise area!
Mai 2024
70th anniversary exhibition of the Battle of Diên Biên Phu
To mark the anniversary of the end of the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ in Indochina (7 May 1954), the museum presented a free exhibition over 4 days. It highlighted anecdotes from French and Vietnamese soldiers who took part in the battle, as well as numerous objects, uniforms and veterans’ keepsakes donated by their families.To mark the anniversary of the end of the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ in Indochina (7 May 1954), the museum presented a free exhibition over 4 days. It highlighted anecdotes from French and Vietnamese soldiers who took part in the battle, as well as numerous objects, uniforms and veterans’ keepsakes donated by their families.
We are still looking for stories, personal accounts, and objects related to the Indochina War!
2024
80th anniversary of the Liberation ceremony
On 9 September 1944, Colonel Fürst, commander of the Graf Spee battery and the German troops in the Conquet pocket, surrendered to the Allies: Americans and FFI.On 9 September 1944, Colonel Fürst, commander of the Graf Spee battery and the German troops in the Conquet pocket, surrendered to the Allies: Americans and FFI.
80 years later, his command post has become the Mémoires 39-45 museum. For this anniversary, we organised a commemorative weekend attended by the Brest 44 and Bretagne 39-45 historical reenactment associations, the Gerfaut 29 association, as well as detachments from the French Army presenting today’s armed forces. The (rainy!) weekend ended with a ceremony commemorating the end of the occupation in the Iroise area.80 years later, his command post has become the Mémoires 39-45 museum. For this anniversary, we organised a commemorative weekend attended by the Brest 44 and Bretagne 39-45 historical reenactment associations, the Gerfaut 29 association, as well as detachments from the French Army presenting today’s armed forces. The (rainy!) weekend ended with a ceremony commemorating the end of the occupation in the Iroise area.
2024 – 2025
Video shoot: Le Conquet during the occupation
To enhance a museum staging project, we filmed a short film illustrating the atmosphere of the occupation years in a rural area. A fantastic project, from writing the script and defining the ideal location, to recruiting the actors and actresses (friends who are passionate about history)… right through to the filming itself, which was a wonderful time spent together! To enhance a museum staging project, we filmed a short film illustrating the atmosphere of the occupation years in a rural area. A fantastic project, from writing the script and defining the ideal location, to recruiting the actors and actresses (friends who are passionate about history)… right through to the filming itself, which was a wonderful time spent together!
… and the result can be seen in the museum, in the room dedicated to the Resistance.… and the result can be seen in the museum, in the room dedicated to the Resistance.
2025
The bunker’s original rangefinder!
At the beginning of 2025, we learned that a large Kriegsmarine rangefinder was for sale in Quebec. We made contact and discovered that it was exactly the model that had equipped our bunker during the Second World War! A deal was struck with the collector who owned the object, which measures 4.5 metres and weighs no less than 1.5 tonnes… A few months later, we received the package in a shipping container. After a period of restoration, we were finally able to put it back in place in the command post’s rangefinder room, restoring the bunker to its original equipment 🙂
2026
Museums Night2026 – Museums Night
Following the success of Museums Night in 2023, we decided to do it again! Visitors were welcomed by Loïc Menguy (Ribine Expérience), who told them anecdotes and testimonies from the Second World War. Afterwards, the museum’s indoor and outdoor visit was brought to life by members of the Brest 44 and Bretagne 39-45 associations, wearing period uniforms and accompanied by numerous vehicles.
The weather was on our side, with brilliant sunshine and a magnificent sunset over Pointe Saint-Mathieu. A wonderful evening!!!
