MUSÉE DU SOUS-OFFICIER
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Museum housing objects from the hall of honor of the 114th infantry regiment, heavily involved in the liberation of France
The Musée du sous-officier in Saint-Maixent, located in the heart of the town center, will reopen its doors in June 2024 after extensive renovation work. A guardian of local military history, it is one of the French Army's 15 traditional museums, working to pass on the values and history of the non-commissioned officer through the ages, from Antiquity to the present day. New for 2024, the institution now boasts a brand-new, tailor-made scenography, to be visited freely, via the Wivisit smartphone app or accompanied by a guide (booking required).
Two areas are dedicated to the Saint-Maixent school and its solemn traditions: the crypt and the room dedicated to the class patrons, who brought the students together and cemented their commitment, including Sergeant André Maginot and Staff Sergeant Roger Vandenberghe, the hero of Indochina and the most decorated non-commissioned officer in the French Army in the 20th century (18 commendations). The museum's extraordinary collection, which has never before been exhibited in its entirety, will be showcased and thematized in a temporary exhibition room alongside the museum's tour. In a nod to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the first of these will be devoted to military sport - and the NCO museum's already vast collection is regularly enriched by donations and new discoveries. You can also watch films from the past and present in the projection room. A visit to this monument to Deux-Sèvres' military heritage is a must!
Further information
Opening time and information on MUSÉE DU SOUS-OFFICIER
Closed from December 15 to January 31. Closed May 1st. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm. Free admission. Guided tours available for groups of 30+. Musée de France and Monument Historique accreditation pending. Guided tours. Store. Wivisite digital audio guide.
Message from Management
The Musée du Sous-officier is housed in a former training building in the heart of downtown Saint-Maixent-l'École. It traces the town's military history. Indeed, Saint-Maixent was home to several military schools, such as the École militaire d'infanterie and the École d'application d'infanterie. A visit to this address will also enable you to discover the history of the French non-commissioned officer from the Ancien Régime to the present day. You'll find a variety of interesting objects, particularly those on display in the hall of honor of the 114th infantry regiment, which played a significant role in the Liberation of France. Young and old alike will marvel at the weapons, uniforms and insignia on display. The museum also organizes a variety of activities, including concerts and dance performances, as well as symposia and temporary exhibitions. An excellent place to visit!
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