Utah Beach Landing Museum
About Utah Beach Landing Museum
The Utah Beach Landing Museum stands at the exact location where American forces landed on June 6, 1944, making it one of the most historically authentic D-Day sites in Normandy. Opened in 1962 as the first museum dedicated to the Normandy landings, it was built around German bunker WN5, which served as Lieutenant Arthur Jahnke's command post during the Atlantic Wall defenses. The 3,000 m² exhibition space presents 10 chronological sequences covering the German occupation, Allied strategy, and the events of D-Day. Highlights include a rare B-26 Marauder bomber (one of only six surviving worldwide) housed in a purpose-built glass hangar with flight simulators, plus authentic landing craft, vehicles, weapons, and personal artifacts from both sides. Extended hours from May to September (9:30-19:00 instead of 10:00-18:00). Book tickets online in advance, especially during the June anniversary period when the museum receives peak visitor numbers.
Interesting Facts
Among the most moving artifacts is Sergeant Louis Havard's prayer book from the 4th Infantry Division. During combat in summer 1944, a bullet struck his chest but lodged in the book's pages instead of his heart. The prayer book saved his life and is now displayed as a testament to the extraordinary stories of survival from the battlefield.
The museum displays a unique 5-pointed star created by five American sailors from the destroyer USS Corry. Their ship was sunk by a German mine off Utah Beach on D-Day itself, yet all five miraculously survived. After the war, they forged this star and each attached their military identification tag to it, symbolizing their unbreakable bond forged through shared survival.
In 2007, two American brothers, David and Gene Dewhurst, visited the museum and discovered a photograph of their father, Major David Dewhurst, with his B-26 bomber crew. They learned he had piloted the last bombing mission on German strongpoint WN5 just 5 minutes before Allied troops landed. Moved by this discovery, the brothers donated over $2 million toward the museum's expansion and the construction of the B-26 hangar — more than one-third of the total project cost.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Museum Entry
RecommendedReduced rate (€9) available for job seekers, teachers, military personnel, and disabled visitors with valid ID.
Location & Practical Info
Address
Plage de la Madeleine, 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France
Website
https://utah-beach.com/Day Routes
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