Airborne Museum
D-Day and Battle of Normandy Museums
The Airborne Museum opened its doors in Sainte-Mère-Eglise on the 20th anniversary of the Normandy landings. It was born from the will of its former mayor, Alexandre Renaud, who also witnessed the fighting of June 6, 1944: its goal was to pay tribute to the Allies and, more specifically, to the American airborne troops who liberated the town on D-Day. The inauguration took place on June 6, 1964, in the presence of Generals Gavin and Taylor (respectively at the head of the airborne units of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day) and the mayor at the time, Jean Masselin. The first building, shaped like a parachute dome, is located on the site of the Pommier family home, destroyed by fire during the night of June 5-6, 1944.
The museum exhibits a Waco glider, discovered in the Cotentin Peninsula after being used during Operation Overlord and restored, as well as a Dakota C-47 aircraft, housed in a second building since 1983. On June 5, 2014, to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, a third building was inaugurated: named “Operation Neptune,” it contains displays that allow visitors to move through reenactments of the battles fought by the American paratroopers. A conference room was added in 2016 to this museum complex, which is located just a few steps from the famous bell tower of Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
Its location, the quality of its collection, and the detailed historical explanations make it one of the must-see museums in the Battle of Normandy historical area.
Practical Information
- Contact
Address: 14 rue Eisenhower, 50480 Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Telephone: +33 (0)2 33 41 41 35
Website: Airborne Museum
- Access
Parking:
– Coach parking near the museum.
– Parking for light vehicles near the museum.
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