Tiger Tank Monument (Vimoutiers Tiger Tank)
About Tiger Tank Monument (Vimoutiers Tiger Tank)
A German Tiger I tank from WWII, abandoned on August 21, 1944, during the final days of the Battle of Normandy. The tank belonged to the 102nd SS Heavy Panzer Battalion and ran out of fuel while attempting to escape the Falaise Pocket encirclement. The crew disabled the vehicle with explosive charges before fleeing. Left in a roadside ditch for over 20 years, the tank was rescued from scrapping in 1966 and placed on a concrete plinth near its original location in 1975. Classified as a French Historical Monument (Monument Historique), it represents one of only 7-10 surviving Tiger I tanks worldwide. The outdoor monument is accessible 24/7 with free parking and information boards in French and English. A protective fence surrounds the tank to prevent climbing.
Interesting Facts
The tank nearly disappeared forever. In 1966, a local scrap dealer began dismantling it, and another in Caen started cutting apart the turret. A local WWII veteran, the mayor, and a historian intervened just in time, purchasing the remains for 5,500-6,000 francs to preserve this piece of history.
The current paint scheme is historically inaccurate. A local volunteer repainted it, but German Tigers in Normandy wore distinctive three-tone camouflage of green, dark yellow, and red-brown. The restoration project that would have corrected this was officially cancelled in July 2025 due to the estimated cost of €900,000-1.2 million.
This is one of only two Tiger I tanks you can see 'in the wild' - displayed outdoors at their battlefield location rather than in a museum. The only other Tiger I in France is safely preserved indoors at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
D979, 61120 Vimoutiers, France
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