Omaha Beach Memorial Museum
About Omaha Beach Memorial Museum
Founded in 1996, this 1,400 m² museum sits just 200 meters from the actual D-Day landing site where American forces stormed ashore on June 6, 1944. The collection documents the full story from German occupation through liberation, featuring military uniforms, weapons, personal items recovered from the beach, and rare vehicles including a Sherman tank that participated in the assault. Visitors can explore WN65, a preserved German bunker from the Atlantic Wall defenses. A 25-minute documentary includes firsthand testimonies from American veterans who fought at Omaha Beach. The museum operates seasonally from mid-February to early November, with hours varying by month: 10:00-17:30 in winter months, 9:30-18:30 in spring/fall, and 9:30-19:00 in summer. Last admission is one hour before closing. The outdoor vehicle display and proximity to the beach itself make this a particularly immersive experience for understanding the costliest D-Day landing.
Interesting Facts
The M29 Weasel cargo carrier on display was designed by British engineer Geoffrey Pyke for operations in Norwegian snow. Despite 15,000 being manufactured by Studebaker during WWII, they are exceptionally rare in museums today. This particular specimen may have been among the first vehicles to drive onto Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Approximately 2,400 American soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing during the Omaha Beach assault - earning it the grim nickname "Bloody Omaha." The beach's 10-kilometer stretch was defended by unexpectedly strong German fortifications, and many landing craft deposited soldiers far from their intended positions.
The museum displays an M3 A1 Scout Car, a vehicle so rare that despite 21,000 being manufactured by White Motor Company, few survive in museums. General George Patton famously used a modified version of this four-wheel-drive vehicle as his mobile headquarters during the war.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
General Admission
RecommendedLocation & Practical Info
Address
"Les Moulins", Avenue de la Libération, 14710 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France
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