MAP CONTROLS: Use slider or mousewheel to zoom, and hold down left mouse button
to drag.
KEY: Location markers are coloured from Green meaning exact to Red meaning
gone or unknown (details here)
|
Click here or on the image for this location's profile page
|
Location Category ID:
|
6200
|
|
Address: |
1043 Route de Fontevraud, 49400 Saumur
|
|
Telephone: |
02 41 83 69 95
|
|
Email: |
museedesblindes [at] wanadoo.fr (Replace [at] with @)
|
|
Opening Times: |
1000-1700 Mon-Fri, 1100-1800 Sat-Sun-Holidays, January-April, October-December
1000-1800 May-June, September, School holidays
0930-1830 July-August
|
|
Official Website: |
Le Musée des Blindés
|
|
Other Links: |
5 Star
Le Chapy
|
|
Latitude, Longitude: |
47.24376975
,
-0.07226944
|
|
Location Accuracy: |
6
|
|
Tanks Previously Here: |
1: Panzerkampfwagen IV Tank - Musée Août 1944, Falaise, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (Seen between 1982 and 1994 but gone by 1999)
2: Panzerkampfwagen IV Tank - Auto und Technik Museum, Sinsheim, Rhine Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Until early 1990s)
3: Hummel Self-Propelled Howitzer - BWB Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung, Koblenz, Koblenz District, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (Until 1984/5)
4: Sturmpanzer IV Brummbär Assault Gun - Panzermuseum, Munster, Soltau-Fallingbostel, Lower Saxony, Germany (1940s - 1990s)
5: Panther Tank - 501-503 RCC, Mourmelon-le-Grand, North East France, France (Seen between 1982 and 2001)
6: Panther Tank - Royal Tank Museum, Aqaba, Aqaba Governorate, Jordan (Until 2010)
7: Panther Tank - Musée Août 1944, Falaise, Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France (Seen in 1982 and 1984 but gone by 1995)
8: Panther Tank - Auto und Technik Museum, Sinsheim, Rhine Neckar-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Until about 1980)
9: Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer - BWB Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung, Koblenz, Koblenz District, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (Until 1984/85)
10: AMX-13/75 Light Tank - The Tank Museum - Public Areas, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Until April 1969)
11: ARL-44 Heavy Tank - 501-503 RCC, Mourmelon-le-Grand, North East France, France (At least 1982-1992)
|
The French Armoured Corps and Cavalry School is located in the town of Saumur, which is about 46km south-east of Angers, on the south bank of the River Loire. In 1965 an Armoured Vehicle Documentation Centre (Centre de Documentation des Engins Blindés, C.D.E.B.) was created in the School, to be responsible for collecting, restoring and preserving prototype and production armoured vehicles. This was achieved largely through the work of one man, the late Colonel Aubry. The many armoured vehicles that have since been collected by the AVDC have for many years been on display as the Saumur Armour Museum; Colonel Aubry was its first director. Most of these vehicles were housed in three main buildings; the General Patton Hall, the General Estienne Hall and the Rommel Hall (the Rommel Hall was closed to the general public). These buildings were military hangars on loan from the Armoured Corps and Cavalry School, but provision had been made for the construction of special museum buildings in plans for the modernisation of the School. Some years ago, therefore, a new building was acquired on the outskirts of Saumur, just outside the School, and this was used to display about forty of the vehicles in the collection. It was opened on 30 May 1987 and featured a video room, a souvenir and book shop and various rooms exhibiting armaments, optics, transmissions, and dioramas. This building was named Bossut Hall and was the only one open to the public at the time. In 1993 the museum moved to a larger building, the General Estienne hall, at its current location.
The Saumur collection of vehicles is spread over various areas of the School, such as the maintenance hangars. These vehicles are generally awaiting restoration or maintenance, which are carried out by the School. Some of the vehicles in running order are kept in a covered French Army area at another location in Saumur. This area is not open to members of the public. As well as armoured vehicles the Armour Museum has many tank guns, mantlets, engines and turrets on display and in storage. Photography is not allowed inside any of the buildings.The Saumur Museum is very proud of its collection of operational vehicles which take part in frequent displays and commemorations. It has more such vehicles than any other museum in the world despite the fact that it is one of the youngest major armoured vehicle museums. The Museum puts a high priority on returning vehicles to running order and then maintaining them. It is also prepared to run these vehicles quite often in public displays, unlike other museums which are loath to risk such vehicles breaking down, with all the attendant repair work and spare part acquisition that entails.
The museum is able to restore and maintain its operational vehicles because of its farsighted policy of collecting and storing huge amounts of spare parts for its vehicles just in case they should one day be needed. The main store for the Museum’s spare parts and equipment is at Chanzy, near Mans, which has reached capacity. It holds 200 vehicles and about 1000 tonnes of spare parts. Many of the vehicles are tracked and include several examples of M4 Sherman 105mm Tanks and M24 Chaffee and AMX-13 Light Tanks (one of these M24s is experimental and has been fitted with a new gun and mantlet and other fittings).
|
Inside Museum Building
The French Armoured Corps and Cavalry School is located in the town of Saumur, which is about 46km south-east of Angers, on the south bank of the River Loire. In 1965 an Armoured Vehicle Documentation Centre (Centre de Documentation des Engins Blindés, C.D.E.B.) was created in the School, to be responsible for collecting, restoring and preserving prototype and production armoured vehicles. This was achieved largely through the work of one man, the late Colonel Aubry. The many armoured vehicles that have since been collected by the AVDC have for many years been on display as the Saumur Armour Museum; Colonel Aubry was its first director. Most of these vehicles were housed in three main buildings; the General Patton Hall, the General Estienne Hall and the Rommel Hall (the Rommel Hall was closed to the general public). These buildings were military hangars on loan from the Armoured Corps and Cavalry School, but provision had been made for the construction of special museum buildings in plans for the modernisation of the School. Some years ago, therefore, a new building was acquired on the outskirts of Saumur, just outside the School, and this is now used to display about forty of the vehicles in the collection. It was opened on 30 May 1987 and features a video room, a souvenir and book shop and various rooms exhibiting armaments, optics, transmissions, and dioramas. This building is named Bossut Hall and is now the only one open to the public, the others are closed to members of the public unless permission is granted to study a particular vehicle.
| Location ID: | 6204 | | Latitude, Longitude: | 47.24376975, -0.07226944 | | Location Accuracy: | 4 |
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
869
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“76359” painted on suspension frame on each side.
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This FT-17 is fitted with a machine-gun in a cast turret. It is in running order and regularly takes part in Carrousel displays.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
870
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This AMR is just a shell, missing all its internal fittings.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
871
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“50533” painted on lower glacis.
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“45” painted on turret sides.
|
This R-35 was used by the Germans during the Second World War, when it was used with a flat roof fitted in place of its turret. An attempt has been made since to refit an original turret to it. It is in running order and has taken part in Carrousel displays.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
872
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
The R-39 was a version of the R-35 rearmed with a 37mm SA38 L/33 for the use of some platoon and company leaders.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
873
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“M.50289” painted on nose.
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“10” and red heart symbols painted on turret sides.
|
This S-35 is fitted with a German cupola. It is in running order and has taken part in Carrousel displays. It has been kept running with the help of Creusot-Loire who made up a set of track shoes for it. It is displayed with its hatches open.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
874
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
875
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“40743” painted on nose.
|
|
Name: |
“D’ARTAGNAN” painted on front left corner of superstructure.
|
|
Other Identification: |
“43” painted on turret sides.
|
This H-39 is fitted with a German cupola. It is in running order and has taken part in Carrousel displays.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
876
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
“RHÔNE” painted on turret sides.
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This B1 shows some signs of battle damage, with gouges in its turret armour. It is in running order and has taken part in Carrousel displays.
It came from the Etablissement d’Etudes et de Fabrications d’Armement de Bourges (EFAB) (Bourges Armament Study and Manufacturing Establishment). When it was moved it was missing its howitzer armament, which had been replaced by a steel plate. In 1983, however, one was provided by EFAB. This howitzer had been on exhibition there and may well have originated in this tank.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
104
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“125” painted on turret sides.
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
127
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
206
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
78
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
216
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“233” and German crosses painted on turret sides.
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
229
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
891
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
893
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
Red star markings painted on superstructure sides.
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
895
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“RE 5946”.
|
|
Name: |
“ARIETE” painted on nose.
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This M15/42 is named after the Second World War Italian 132nd Ariete Armoured Division, which later became the 135th Ariete Armoured Cavalry Division.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
896
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“RE 4441” painted on rear plate.
|
|
Name: |
“LITTORIO” painted on nose.
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This M40 is named after the Second World War Italian 133rd Littorio Armoured Division.
|
Reserve Storage
| Location ID: | 6290 | | Latitude, Longitude: | 0, 0 | | Location Accuracy: | 0 |
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
700
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This Schneider was shipped to the United States in 1919 for testing and evaluation. It was on display in the Ordnance Museum of Aberdeen Proving Ground with the Saint Chamond until they were both returned to France in 1987. They were transported from America to Le Havre on the container ship Atlantic Compass. This tank was restored to running order (source: Wheels & Tracks).
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
701
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This Saint Chamond shows some evidence of battle damage. It was returned to France from APG in America with the Schneider.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
937
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This ARL-44 is in a poor condition.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
963
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This was the first of the prototypes of the AMX-50, an experimental heavy tank fitted with an oscillating turret. It is fitted with a 90mm gun, and has a number of shell holes in its turret. A 1000 hp engine for it was presented to the museum by the German Motoren und Turbinen Union (MTU) company in 1983/4.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
100
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
149
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“131” painted on superstructure sides. Overall painted white.
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
185
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
196
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
207
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
69
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
278
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
280
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
233
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
966
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
1007
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
1022
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
“124” painted on turret sides. Naval flag insignia painted on superstructure sides and trim vane.
|
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
1024
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
This R-35 is in a very poor and damaged condition. It appears to be fitted with a non-standard turret mounting a large gun.
|
Click
here or on the image for this tank's profile page
|
Unique ID: |
1025
|
|
Serial Number: |
|
|
Registration: |
“6440100” painted on nose.
|
|
Name: |
|
|
Other Identification: |
|
|