Officer’s Museum, Guer

Who this place suits

With family

8/10

As a couple

7/10

With friends

9/10

Solo

9/10

With a dog

2/10

Reduced mobility

7/10

These scores are calculated from what the page records: official rating, facilities, difficulty, duration and location. They are a guide, not a substitute for contacting the venue, especially about accessibility.

About

The Officer’s Museum is at the heart of the Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan military academy, in Guer. Inaugurated on 24 July 1912 by President Armand Fallières as the Musée du Souvenir, it is presented by the Ministry of the Armed Forces as the oldest museum of the French Army. Its role is twofold: to preserve the physical traces of officers and to tell, through their careers, part of French military history. The original museum was at Saint-Cyr-l’École. It was largely destroyed in the bombing of July 1944. After the school moved to Coëtquidan, the collections were rebuilt from rescued pieces, donations and new acquisitions. The museum was transferred to Coëtquidan in 1947 and took its current name, the Officer’s Museum, in 2018. About 2,000 objects now form the route: paintings, bronzes, weapons, uniforms, emblems, trophies and personal keepsakes. The collections span several centuries, from the Ancien Régime to the present day. They recall famous figures such as Napoleon, Lyautey and de Gaulle, but also many lesser-known officers whose belongings tell an individual story. So it is not just a uniform museum. It helps you understand officer training, the traditions of Saint-Cyr, the year groups, the emblems and how military memory was built. The objects are often linked to a specific person or event, giving the route a strong biographical dimension. In 2026, a temporary exhibition on year-group insignia completes the route. It looks at the heraldry, traditions and craftsmanship behind these insignia, which play an important role in the identity of the Saint-Cyr year groups. The visit has one important practical feature: the museum is inside a secure military site. Entry is free, but every adult visitor must bring an identity document. The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 12 pm and 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm, and at weekends from 2 pm to 6 pm.

What you will see

• The oldest museum of the French Army, inaugurated in 1912.
• About 2,000 objects: paintings, bronzes, weapons, uniforms, emblems and trophies.
• The traditions of Saint-Cyr and the history of officer training.
• Keepsakes linked to famous officers such as Napoleon, Lyautey and de Gaulle.
• Personal items that approach military history through individual lives.
• The story of the museum, largely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt at Coëtquidan.

Practical information

Address

Académie Militaire Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan, Cour Rivoli, 56380 Guer

Pets

Ask the museum directly about visitors with pets.

Accessibility

Ask before your visit about particular needs, as access is part of a secure military site.

Frequently asked questions

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