UTAH BEACH LANDING MUSEUM

In a grandiose, unspoilt setting, facing the immensity of the sea, this museum is one of the must-sees on your tour of the D-Day landing beaches. A bit of history: on the evening of June 6, after a Dantean day of battle, 23,000 men and 1,695 tons of supplies landed on this land. Situated at the foot of the Cotentin peninsula, the aim of taking this beach, named Utah by the Allies, was to gain a foothold a few dozen kilometers from the deep-water port of Cherbourg, and to reach the latter as quickly as possible. The operation was a complete success, with fewer casualties than elsewhere, and Utah Beach was transformed into an artificial port managed by 70,000 men of the US Army and Navy. Among the highlights of this museum, located just a few minutes from the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, are the assault barge and the water buffalo, an eight-by-three-metre vehicle unique in Europe and entirely restored. In a purpose-built 800m² hangar, visitors can see an authentic B26 marauder used during Operation Overlord, of which only 3 remain in the world. As a place of transmission, we strongly recommend guided tours. Here, the museography follows a logical sequence based on different themes: everything begins with German defenses and enemy occupation. The projection of the award-winning film "La Plage de la Victoire" (The Beach of Victory) aids the chronology, enabling visitors to follow the preparations for the DDay hour by hour. This is followed by areas devoted to Allied strategy and the military forces involved (naval, air and ground). Then, the panoramic room reveals the exact chronology of this historic day on the beach. The exhibition goes on to show how the paratroopers and infantrymen joined up and made their perilous advance to Cherbourg. The museum then presents the artificial port of Utah Beach. Temporary exhibitions are regularly organized, such as the one on the archaeological digs at Brécourt, the scene of an intense battle. Children are also catered for, with activities such as treasure hunts and educational workshops. There's also an attractive gift store. Final word of advice: book your tickets on the website whenever possible, to guarantee your place.