Saumer Tank Museum wow!

[Wolfy]

Found these links and goodness I'm very impressed, has anyone been here?

 

Definately on my list when in France.

 

http://gbxforums.gearboxsoftware.com/showthread.php?t=95337

 

http://www.lechapy.com/blindes.htm

 

Colt

[ArmourWorld]

I was there about 5 years ago. They didn't have the KT on display though as they were preping it for a parade.

Some fantastic examples in thier collection thats for sure! And well worth the treck to go have a look.

 

John.

[honeileen]

I live a couple of hours away and im often there, well worth a visit!!

 

Christian

[Topdog]

Went there a couple of years ago. It knocks Bovvy into the dust to be honest.

[steveo578]

Is it just me or has a spelling trojan/virus gotten into the forum "Saumur" , my excuse is I'm a bit thick and from 'north wot's yours?

[ArtistsRifles]

I was there in 2007 - a great day out!! Have a look here:

 

 

What I really liked was if you paid the additional photographers fee you could get as close to the vehicles as you wanted and the staff were both very knowledgeable and very helpful. Would love to go back again...

All my favourite vehicles were there - Conqueror, S-Tank, King Tiger, Merkava etc....

[Wolfy]

Great photos Neil thanks for sharing :laugh:

[ajmac]

I've never been, but one day I will drag the family along. If you like German armour it looks like the place to visit, it would be nice if Bovington could organise to borrow the KingTiger for a Tankfest event.

[Pzkpfw-e]

Years since I've been (Pushing 20?) there wasn't that much there (Or I didn't find the other buildings!) at that time. I do remember the JpIV L70/A, with its holed & fractured armour and a shell still embeded in it.

[Tony B]

Saumer has a much older claim then tanks. It is the home of the Cadre Noir. If the Spanish Riding School at Vienna is the purist 'Classic' school of riding. Saumer is the home of modern riding. They do clasic riding, but most modern techniques were developed at Saumer

[robin33ba07]

here are some pictures taken 2008 http://www.mvci.info/album/saumur_2008

[Wolfy]

Thanks Robin.

 

I had to laugh at a previous picture of a moped with a ruddy great recoilles gun stuck in the middle!

[FourFox]

A really good tip is to join the 'Association des Amis' when you visit. It costs around 35 Euros, which sounds a lot but you will find it a good investment....

 

There are approximately 200 armoured vehicles (Blindes) on display at the museum. You cannot help notice that there are large amounts of armoured projects around the side of the main building....and there is a very large shed (about as big as the museum itself) in which there are all manner of delights.

 

I was told by a senior member of staff that there are approx 400 vehicles in their reserve collection (some of which I believe are at another site!).

 

Being a 'Freind' of the museum will enable you to arrange a guided tour of these reserves.

 

Incidently the correct spelling from my menbership card is 'Saumur'

 

I have been several times, and intend to go again this year.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a particular interest in the Panhard VCR

It is fitted with 4 Euro2 missiles and 100 were sold to Iraq before the 1st Gulf war.

They were a real threat to the Challenger 1s and had to be destroyed at the start of the invasion. One was brought back to Bovington for evaluation and is now resident in this country. Possibly the only one surviving from the 100.