Sainte-Marie-du-Mont - Utah Beach Landing Museum
WWII Museum
The Utah Beach Landing Museum, or Musée du Débarquement Utah Beach, is located at the precise site where American forces landed during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. It is situated in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont in Normandy, France. The museum was established in 1962 with the purpose of preserving and commemorating the events of the landing at Utah Beach, a key element of the Allied invasion known as Operation Overlord.
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The museum presents a detailed chronological account of the events leading up to and during the landing, organized into ten thematic sections. These sections cover the German occupation of France, the strategic planning by the Allies, the logistical and military preparations for the invasion, and the unfolding of the landing itself. The exhibits include authentic military equipment, uniforms, weapons, personal items carried by soldiers, and scale models that reconstruct different phases of the operation.
Among the most significant artifacts on display is a restored Martin B-26 Marauder bomber, housed in a purpose-built hangar. This particular aircraft type played an essential role in providing air support during the Normandy invasion and is now a rare survivor of its kind.
The museum also features an original Higgins landing craft, one of the iconic boats used to land troops on the beach under fire.
A documentary film titled "Victory in the Sand" is shown in the museum's theater. It combines archival footage and firsthand testimonies to give visitors a powerful sense of the courage and complexity involved in the D-Day operation.
Here are the other World War II museums we've covered so far, with more added regularly. If you'd like to stay updated, you can subscribe to our free newsletter