The Utah Beach D-Day Museum
The Utah Beach D-Day Museum stands on the dunes at La Madeleine in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, built around the German strongpoint WN5 at the exact spot where American troops landed on June 6, 1944. It opened on June 6, 1962, founded by Michel de Vallavieille, and tells the story of the Utah landing in ten sequences from planning to victory.
What You Will See
The centerpiece is an original B-26 Marauder bomber, one of only a handful left in the world, displayed in a glass hangar. The collection also includes landing craft, vehicles, artillery, and the personal effects of the men who fought here, and part of the exhibition looks straight out over the sand where they landed. Plan about 90 minutes for the visit; the museum has a bookshop and a café on site.
Hours and Tickets
The museum opens every day: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October to April, and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May to September. Ticket sales stop one hour before closing. Adult entry costs 10€, students pay 7.50€, children 6 to 15 pay 6.50€, and children under 6 enter free. Guided tours cost 2.50€ to 5€ extra. Book tickets at utah-beach.com.
Getting There
The museum sits directly on Utah Beach, about an hour by car from Bayeux and 15 minutes from Sainte-Mère-Église. Our guide to the ten best D-Day museums in Normandy covers the wider region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Utah Beach D-Day Museum cost?
Adult entry costs 10€, students pay 7.50€, children 6 to 15 pay 6.50€, and children under 6 enter free, at July 2026 rates.
What are the museum’s opening hours?
The museum opens daily: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October to April, and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May to September. Ticket sales stop one hour before closing.
Is the Utah Beach museum worth visiting?
Yes. It stands on the landing site itself, built around a German strongpoint, and holds an original B-26 Marauder bomber. Plan about 90 minutes.
How long does a visit take?
About 90 minutes covers the ten exhibition sequences, the B-26 hangar, and the beach viewpoints. Add time to walk the monuments on the dunes outside.