When writing an article about a museum in France, you must first realize that most of France IS a museum. The towns, the buildings, and the culture are old...very old. The Airborne Museum I’m writing about today is located in the town of Saint-Mere-Eglise, the first French town liberated by the Allies. You may have heard of the town from the movie, “The Longest Day,” or from World War II history. The town itself is a museum, from the historical church located in the center of town, to the Roman milliarium next to the church. The museum there is the Airborne Museum. The inception of the museum dates back to 1957, with the inauguration in 1964. In the years since, the museum has expanded in both size and artifacts.
Once you have seen the displays and artifacts of the D-Day campaign in the C-47 building, be sure to visit the display of an actual C-47, along with a glider that you can walk through, with mannequins dressed in combat uniforms, seated as they were in the actual glider. Jeeps, equipment, and bombs used during war are also on display. Several historical figures are represented in the room, including Gen. Dwight Eisenhower addressing the troops underneath the C-47.
As you walk around the displays, you stand in awe and wonderment that...1) these men and women went to war in the European Theater, some never having left their own city or state to fight in a war far from home; 2) they did it at great sacrifice for the freedoms of a people they had never known; and 3) that the French, along with others, built and contributed to this museum to honor them. There are many display cases containing items used everyday by the soldiers--cigarettes, chewing gum, rations, weapons, including firearms, land mines, etc. Medical equipment and supplies used by the medics in the field are also on display.
Although the museum is what this article is about, as I said in the beginning, St. Mere-Elise and the region of Normandy are a museum, from the Vikings who invaded in the late eighth century, to the invasion by Nazi Germany and the liberation by the Americans, British, Canadians, and countless others to defend freedom. As you stroll through the museum and its surrounding grounds, take a moment to visit the bronze parachute monument. It is a statue of a parachute descending and at the base are outstretched arms breaking the chains of occupation. If I recall, it was given by the town to honor the 101st and 82nd Airborne. The entire museum is a time capsule to be opened slowly and deliberately, as this is not a peek and run museum. Please allow several hours to absorb the rich history that has been frozen in time to be remembered for all future generations. One of my favorite quotes is, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” Winston Churchill.
Be sure to visit the excellent gift shop after your visit and pick up something to remember your visit and send a postcard or two to friends.
The town of St. Mere-Eglise has a rich history and the Notre-Dame-De-l’Assomption church in the town center was built in the 1600’s and continues to celebrate Mass today. Be sure to walk inside the church and view the stained glass windows that pay tribute to the paratroopers.
To truly understand the sacrifices given during the D-Day invasion by the paratroopers and other soldiers, please take time to visit the Airborne Museum, the D-Day beaches, and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.
Closed in December and January except during Christmas Holidays. The museum is closed on December 24, 25, 31, and Jan 1.
The ticket office is closed on house before closing time.
https://www.airborne-museum.org/en/
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Leroy (Roy) Howell resides in the coastal town of Beaufort, NC, USA, with his wife, Westie, and crazy cat. He recently retired from a 31-year career as an IT Specialist. Roy is an avid World War II history buff, and enjoys traveling to Europe to visit WW II battle sites, cemeteries, and museums.