Two thirds of the seaborne troops from the United States on D-Day were launched against a four-mile long beach overlooked by steep bluffs and blocked off at either end by limestone cliffs, the place they call ‘Bloody Omaha.’ Stop at the memorial in Saint Laurent s/Mer and drive along the beach to Vierville s/Mer. Stop at the memorial for the National Guard.

Utah Beach was the first beach to be stormed by the Allies on the morning of 6 June 1944. It was chosen to establish a beachhead in the Cotentin region in order to capture the town of Cherbourg and its deep water port. At the end of the day, more than 23,000 American soldiers landed to fight a titanic battle and liberate France.

Thanks to a complete chronological tour, immerse yourself in the history of the D-Day landings and discover a collection rich in objects, vehicles, equipment and testimonies. See an authentic B26 bomber, an exceptional aircraft of which there are only a few left in the world, and relive the epic of the American soldiers through the film Victory Beach, which won the Golden Eagle Award for Documentary in 2012 and the Special Jury Prize in 2013. When you leave the site, you will not only have understood the strategic choice and the reasons for success at Utah Beach, but you will also have contributed to the preservation and transmission of the memory of these extraordinary men.

The Americans, during the phase of preparation of the airborne operations preliminary to landing in Normandy, place the village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise in the heart of the jump zones of the 82nd Airborne Division. Visit the village, the church, and enjoy some free time before heading back to your ship.