The D-Day Experience Museum

The D-Day Experience at Saint-Côme-du-Mont, just north of Carentan, combines two museums and a flight simulator built into a genuine C-47. The site centers on Dead Man’s Corner, the crossroads house that served as the command post of the German 6th Parachute Regiment under Major von der Heydte and then of American officers of the 101st Airborne in the fighting of June 6 to 8, 1944.

What You Will See

The Dead Man’s Corner house holds German and American airborne artifacts tied directly to the crossroads battle; its historic stairs and tight rooms stay as they were, so wheelchairs cannot pass. The main museum across the site tells the campaign from the American paratrooper’s side and is fully accessible. The simulator uses a real 1943 Dakota that flew the drops on the night of June 5 to 6, 1944; a holographic briefing precedes the flight. A 3D cinema rounds out the larger option. Plan two hours for the museums and simulator, three with the cinema.

Hours and Tickets

The site opens daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets come in two options: both museums with the simulator, or both museums with the simulator and the 3D cinema, with family passes for two adults and up to three children. Children under 6 enter free but cannot ride the simulator. Book ahead in summer and September; current rates are at dday-experience.com.

Getting There

Saint-Côme-du-Mont sits on the old Carentan road, 10 minutes south of Sainte-Mère-Église and 20 minutes from Utah Beach. The site is a natural fit for Band of Brothers itineraries. Our guide to the ten best D-Day museums in Normandy covers the wider region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dead Man’s Corner?
Dead Man’s Corner is the crossroads house at Saint-Côme-du-Mont that served as the German 6th Parachute Regiment’s command post and then passed to the American 101st Airborne in the fight for Carentan. The name comes from a knocked-out American tank whose commander remained visible at the crossroads for days.

Is the C-47 simulator a real aircraft?
Yes. The simulator is built into a Douglas C-47 constructed in 1943 that flew the airborne drops over Normandy on the night of June 5 to 6, 1944.

What are the opening hours?
The site opens daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Book ahead for summer and September visits.

How long does a visit take?
Plan about two hours for both museums and the simulator, or three hours if you add the 3D cinema.