2019 in Normandy, is not a year like any other. In 2019, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the landing in June. Already so far away and yet so close, so rooted in people's minds, in cities, in the streets (look at their names!). The region, deeply wounded by the Second World War, marked by numerous civilian and military casualties and destruction, honours its history, those soldiers who died for France and the freedom that has finally been restored. For a weekend, relive what was played out on these lands, on these beaches. Difficult to choose from all the sites? Get off the beaten track and out of Calvados, towards the English Channel!
A place of history
It seems well isolated this beautiful and long bay of Cotentin among its sisters in Calvados. About 45 km from Cherbourg, the Madeleine beach - Utah Beach, codenamed on D-Day - located in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, is the furthest west. More unknown than the bloody Omaha, but more so than Juno, Gold and Sword, it was a strategic point in the outcome of the Overlord operation. To understand this, the D-Day Museum offers visitors a complete chronological tour in a space built on a German support point: one of the impressive bunkers that punctuate the Normandy coast, in front of which American troops have landed. Facing the sea with this wonderful, almost heavenly view, exactly the opposite of what happened 75 years ago, the museum is entirely dedicated to this period of history: from the lives of civilians under occupation to the capture of Cherbourg, including, of course, the landing of Utah and the construction of its famous artificial port. Videos and documentary films, including Victory in the Sand, awarded by the Ciné Eagle Award, everyday objects under occupation, masterpieces of Allied strategy, advanced weapons of the German division, written and sound testimonies, cards, letters, portraits are presented, allowing us to measure the courage and prowess of these men who have changed the course of history. Also discover a "Higgins Boat", the assault barge characteristic of the landing as well as the "Water Bu alo", an incredible amphibious device or this spectacular B-26 bomber displayed in the hangar next to the building. If you have a smartphone or tablet, you can use the "Utah Inside" application, a virtual showcase that will bring a new dimension to the museum space. It will allow you to discover the inside of this aircraft (while its access is prohibited to the public) of which only 3 copies remain in the world. In addition, it will provide you with access to exclusive content in several languages, 9 in total (including the live translation of the documentary La Plage de la victoire) in order to adapt, satisfy and above all help you understand the historical facts according to your nationality, which will considerably enrich your visit! The story as if you were there.
A duty of memory celebrated
June 6, 1944, a fateful and life-saving date, found many echoes in Normandy, such as reminder shots to never forget. It would be tragic to let the memory fly away. However, the region and its inhabitants make it a point of honour to transmit and honour this D-Day that changed our lives. You can't miss the many monuments that have been erected all over the place. Buildings that you will logically find on the outskirts of the Utah Beach D-Day Museum paying tribute to these soldiers, to their sacrifice that led to freedom. The commemorative ceremonies in June are playing their roles all the more as the veterans and witnesses of this period are gradually dying out. In this 75th anniversary year, a large number of festivities and historical events are planned to celebrate the event and the D-Day Museum will be an integral part of this highlight thanks to its proposal in collaboration with Arnhem 44 (military antiquities specialist) from the Utah Memory Field. This free gathering, where many exhibitors will be waiting for you, will be an opportunity to take an exceptional 70 km sightseeing tour in vintage vehicles with the Utah Memory Tour, but also to observe reconstructions or make discoveries through interactive and fun activities. A concert is even scheduled! You can also watch inside the museum the original screening of a documentary film told by those French people who witnessed the era: The Girl Who Wore Freedom is a real immersion in history with Dany Patrix, a young girl amazed by the bravery and heroism of the American GIs, now celebrated. And to complete and complete the whole, a temporary exhibition from June 2019 to the end of November 2020, "Utah Beach.... Yesterday and Today" will feature pictures taken between Utah Beach and the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont at the time of the landing. These are displayed chronologically and superimposed on the current views: immersion in the past is guaranteed for the visitor!
Sites not to be missed
In order to continue your weekend dedicated to D-Day, take a walk around. Why not start simply with the village of Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont? The ascent of the bell tower of its church is worth a visit: breathtaking view of the beautiful landscape of the Cotentin! Also make a stop at Sainte-Mère-Église, 9 km to the west. You have certainly already heard about this village. The first commune in France to have been liberated, it is famous for its "zero" milestone, the starting point of the Way of Liberty, but also for the parachuting of the 82nd Division on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944 and above all for the incredible story of John Steele. Hanging on the church tower after the loss of control of his parachute, he decided, for two hours, to play dead... to stay alive. Unusual, a model is instead in place to reconstruct this incredible story! Continue your way a little further, 10 km away, to discover the Azeville Battery, one of the first constructions of the famous Atlantic Wall. Even further away, but not to be missed, stop in the town of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, 30 km from Utah, to admire its fortifications (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Lovers of nature and the bucolic? Extend your journey by heading towards Cherbourg-Octeville. If only to admire the magnificent panoramas that will pass before your eyes and why not, make stops there to enjoy them more. First stop, Valognes, for this fabulous 18th century hotel in Beaumont, a real little Versailles! But also the Roman baths or the former royal Benedictine abbey. Don't miss the island of Tatihou, its Natural Ornithological Reserve and its 3 gardens. For the more adventurous, access can be done on foot at low tide. You can also choose to cross with an amphibious vehicle. Continue on to Morsalines, which borders the Cotentin marshes for its authentic charm and where the ambient microclimate offers an exceptional flora: it is not unusual to encounter tropical species there! However, for the less adventurous, know that you can also enjoy the Beauguillot Reserve in Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont, with its preserved flora and fauna (seals have even chosen to live there!). And what about this beach, that of Utah, the scene of the great conflict and the outcome of 1944, which has since recovered its serenity
Let's eat!
A stay in Normandy without tasting its specialities would be sacrilege! Forget the delicious, but classic ciders, camembert.... We talk to you about the ones you won't soon forget. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is not far from Isigny-sur-Mer, a town renowned for its dairy cooperative. Churn butter for morning fresh bread toast, cream that you want to eat with a spoon, but that you can enjoy in Italian ice cream during the summer months, AOC cheeses, will delight your palate. And that's without forgetting the good old caramel. The latter is available in abundance: sweets, biscuits, chocolates, popcorn.... A good idea for a gourmet souvenir to take home! The list of sweets does not end there, marshmallows, fruit pastes, jams, nougats complete the offer. The hardest thing will be to make a choice!
Smart info
When? When? Even if Normandy is beautiful in all seasons, its climate remains capricious. For your stay, therefore, favour the spring or the off-season (May and September are enough idéaux ; June is obviously busier with commemorations) to avoid the summer crowd and enjoy a mild weather
Getting there. By car, take the A13 from Paris and its region, the A84 from Rennes. By train, TER from Paris Saint-Lazare (8 connections per day) and many other major cities in France. By bus, Saint-Lô/Cherbourg line serving the cities of Carentan, Sainte-Mère-Église, Montebourg, Valognes.
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Useful. To prepare your escapade as well as possible.
OFFICE OF TOURISM OF THE BAY OF THE COTENTIN - More information on the website
UTAH BEACH LANDING MUSEUM - More information on the website
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