Are you staying in Normandy? Why not discover a must-see: Utah Beach. It is one of the 5 Normandy landing beaches, although it was not included in Eisenhower and Montgomery’s plan until 1943. This beach in the Cotentin region enabled the Allies to capture the port of Cherbourg more quickly.
On June 6, 1944, Utah Beach was the first to be stormed by 23,000 American soldiers. Today, it is surrounded by numerous museums, including the Airbone Museum.
In this article, we’ll give you 9 ideas for things to do in Utah Beach, as well as practical advice in pictures.
BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS
HERE ARE OUR favorites
Our favorite car rental platform with great offers: DiscoverCars
Our favorite places to stay:
Hotel Domain de Bayeux, elegant and central – see photos and availability
Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach, for the north – see photos and availability
Hôtel Ferme de la Rançonnière, the charm of the countryside – view photos and availability
This review is completely independent, we visited anonymously and paid our entrance tickets in full.
Landing at Utah Beach – Introduction
D-Day and the role of Utah Beach
In 1943, Eisenhower and General Montgomery decided to add Utah Beach to their plan of attack. This area of the Cotentin coastline is made up of dunes and marshes: an ideal location for an amphibious assault. The Allies’ objective was to liberate Cherbourg, a strategic port. They succeeded thanks to the landing of 23,000 American soldiers from the 4th Division. However, they were slowed down by the German defense (Crisbecq battery, Azeville battery), which took the lives of 200 soldiers.
Things to do at Utah Beach
Today, you can see the beach and its former bunkers, as well as numerous museums on the D-Day landings. We list them below.
You’ll soon have access to a short video listing the must-do activities on Utah Beach.
Practical tips and map: Utah Beach, Normandy, France
Where is Utah Beach?
Utah Beach lies between the communes of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Quinéville, in the Cotentin department of Normandy.
- Driving time from Rouen: 2h30,
- Driving time from Bayeux: 50min,
- Driving time from Caen: 1h,
- Driving time from Deauville: 1h55,
- Driving time from Cherbourg: 45min,
- Driving time from Paris: 3h50.
Here is a map to help you find your way:
How to get there
- By public transport: very difficult access, take a train to Bayeux, then a TER train from Bayeux to Carentan les Marais. You will then be forced to take a cab.
- Guided tour from Bayeux – see program and availability.
- Guided tour from Caen – see program and availability.
- Guided tour from Paris – see program and availability.
- By car: the easiest way to see everything. From Paris, take the A13, the N814, then the D913.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
How long will it take to visit Utah Beach?
We recommend that you allow at least half a day to visit Utah Beach and its D-Day Museum, which we’ve listed as one of the best museums on D-Day.
If you have the time, we recommend spending at least a day in the area to visit the Airborne Museum. Stay longer if you want to discover the sites on our list, or the 4 other D-Day beaches!
What to do in Utah Beach if you only have half a day or a day?
If your timing is tight, we recommend you prioritize the following activities:
- walk on the beach,
- visit the D-Day museum,
- visit the Airborne Museum,
- take the opportunity to visit the village square in Sainte-Mère-Église.
We recommend that you visit the beach at low tide. Of course, if you have more time, we recommend exploring the other sites listed in this article to complete your D-Day experience.
See organized day tours of D-Day sites.
1. Discover the beach and the memorial
Why take a walk on Utah Beach?
Utah Beach is long, and bordered by a few bunkers. The area with the most monuments is at the entrance to the beach, near the D-Day Museum. A bollard marks the entrance to the site. The 2nd area to see is a little further on, on the D421. Follow the sign “Monument Leclerc 2e division” and you’ll come across more blockhouses and a tank. We enjoyed Utah Beach, with its characteristic dunes. If the atmosphere is peaceful, the bunkers along the road and beach are a reminder that it was the scene of a bloody event.
What you will see
At the entrance to the beach, you’ll first see several monuments. The one that impressed us most was a D-Day barge, with sculptures of soldiers: it gives you a better idea of what D-Day was like. You can also see 2 monuments to Andrew Jackson Higgins, who designed these barges. Next to it stands a statue of a “Solitary Sailor in Normandy”. It is dedicated to the memory of the American sailors, particularly the “frogmen”, who landed at Omaha and Utah to facilitate the arrival of the amphibious ships. Then take a path up to the other part of the site, where you’ll find the US Navy Normandy monument and a cannon surrounded by an orientation table. There’s a war memorial with a staircase, and don’t hesitate to take a look underneath, where we discovered a blockhouse!
Practical advice
The beach is accessible free of charge all year round. We advise you to check the weather conditions before you go, as this is an entirely outdoor visit. However, if you want to visit in D-Day conditions, opt for a foggy day and go at dawn.
There’s a parking lot with a picnic table, and a snack bar with a souvenir store. Utah Beach is less popular than other D-Day beaches, such as Omaha Beach. It is located much further west than the other beaches. However, it is visited by those wishing to focus on the beaches where American troops landed. We therefore recommend that, if possible, you avoid the summer period, as well as other school vacations. The anniversary of D-Day (June 6), as well as other major official events (such as Memorial Day, held on the last Monday in May), can draw crowds to the D-Day beaches.
STAYING NEAR THE D-Day beaches
Option 1: Bayeux
The most practical option, in our opinion, is to base ourselves in the town of Bayeux. We recommend..:
- Hotel Domaine de Bayeux in an 18th century mansion – see prices, photos and availability
- see all top rated accommodations in Bayeux
Option 2: in the countryside
In the countryside around the D-Day beaches, you will find beautiful buildings with a lot of charm: farms, manors…
- Hotel Domaine d’Utah Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel Ferme de la Rançonnière – prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: next to one of the beaches
If you’re looking for a seaside holiday or are fascinated by one of the beaches, you can choose a more specific hotel:
- Hotel Villas d’Arromanches in Gold Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel La Sapinière in Omaha Beach Beach – prices, pictures and availability
2. Visit the Airborne Museum
Why visit the Airborne Museum?
The Airborne Museum of Normandy is dedicated to the American paratroopers who arrived at the very start of D-Day. It faces the church of Sainte-Mère-Église, which many will recognize as the paratrooper John Steele became famous for hanging from its steeple.
You’ll visit 3 buildings: WACO, which focuses on gliders, C-47, which explains the preparations for D-Day, and Operation Neptune, to give you the experience of a night jump with their “hyper-realistic museography”.
What you will see
We particularly enjoyed discovering the American Waco glider, the only one of its kind in France, in the 1st pavilion. In this building, you can also see the equipment used by airborne troops.
In pavilion C-47, you’ll be in the shoes of a paratrooper: a hologram soldier will brief you on how to prepare for the jump! Numerous weapons were on display, as well as the impressive Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft.
In the “ Opération Neptune” building, you’ll be immersed in the parachute drops of June 6, 1944 via a 4D experience. You’ll discover reconstructed scenes of the fighting for the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Église.
Finally, outside, you’ll see various models of war vehicles and a memorial. Each pavilion offers a different experience that will appeal to all audiences. Reserve your place.
Practical advice
The museum is located in the village square of Sainte-Mère-Église: you won’t want to miss it! There’s no dedicated parking for visitors, but you can park in the nearby municipal parking lots (€2 for 24 hours).
Driving time from the beach: 20min.
Schedules:
- Every year, the museum closes in December and January.
- From May to August: 9am-7pm (last entry at 6pm).
- April and September: 9:30am-6:30pm (last entry at 5:30pm).
- October to March: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (last admission at 5 p.m.).
Rates:
- Full price adult ticket : 9,90
- Children’s ticket: 6€ for children from 6 to 17 years old, free entrance for children under 6 years old.
- Special family rate (from 2 adults and 2 children): 28€ (9€/adult and 5€/child)
Book your ticket to save time!
Discover our article dedicated to the Airborne Museum.
3. Visit the Utah Beach Landing Museum
Why visit the Utah Beach Landing Museum?
Located on Utah Bach beach, the Utah Beach Landing Museum is built on a German bunker.
It is organized chronologically, covering strategy, preparations, the history of D-Day (routes, liaison between divisions, etc.) and the outcome of the landing.
What you will see
At the start of your visit, you’ll see the equipment of German soldiers. Afterwards, you can view American soldiers’ equipment, archives, personal objects and photographs, which we always find moving. Models helped us understand the different types of American boats. There were also several vehicles (including a B26 bomber), as well as a well-produced film. Book your ticket to save time.
Practical advice
Located on Utah Beach, you can park in the parking lot next to the museum, where you’ll find a picnic area. Next door is a snack bar with a souvenir store. Allow at least 2 hours for your visit.
Driving time from beach: 1min walk.
Schedules:
- October to November and April: daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- February to March: open daily from 10am to 5pm.
- May to September: open daily from 9:30 am to 7 pm.
- Annual closure in December and on January 1st.
Rates:
- Full adult rate: €8.50
- Children’s price (6-15 years): €5
- Free admission for children under 6.
Book your ticket to save time!
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
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- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
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4. The D-Day Experience
Why try the D-Day Experience?
Located in Carentan-les-Marais, the D-Day Experience is made up of different areas, spread over more than 10,000 m2. Known for its flight simulator, it also features 2 museums, a giant-screen 3D cinema, a memorial to airborne troops, and even a military antiques store! We recommend this innovative and original tour.
What you will see
You’ll see plenty of soldiers’ equipment, as well as re-enactment scenes with mannequins. A number of archives are on display, in particular press clippings, along with a few photographs. In the cinema, 2 3D documentaries about the D-Day are usually shown. Finally, in the flight simulator area, you will first be briefed by a hologram, putting you in the shoes of a soldier. It was our favorite part! Then you climb into a plane and the flight simulator begins!
Practical advice
Carentan-les-Marais lies between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Follow the signs for Saint Côme du Mont when on the D913. On-site visitor parking is available.
Driving time from the beach: 15min.
Schedules:
- April to September: daily, 9:30 am to 7 pm.
- October to March: 10am to 6pm.
- annual closure in January.
Rates:
- Full adult price: €19.50
- Children’s price: €15.90
- Free admission for children under 6, who do not have access to the simulator and cinema.
These prices are for complete visits, but it is possible to visit the museum without the simulator or the cinema, or to visit the cinema only. To find out more, visit the official website here.
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
5. Explore the Azeville Battery
Why explore the Azeville Battery?
The Azeville Battery was one of the key elements of the Atlantic Wall. Built over 4,000km, this coastal defense system was designed by Nazi Germany to prevent the Allied landings. Located in the commune of Azeville, 4km from the beach, this battery was invisible from the sea. Its cannons covered the east coast of the English Channel, stretching from the Bay of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to the Bay of Veys. This complex battery took 2 years to build, and went into action on June 6, 1944. On June 9, the Azeville garrison surrendered to the American soldiers of the 4th Division.
What you will see
We found this battery very impressive. It comprises four reinforced concrete casemates, built between 1943 and 1944. They were designed to protect artillery pieces, mainly cannons. There are also 2 anti-aircraft guns. But what sets this battery apart from the others we visited, which are listed in this article, is its network of concrete galleries and covered trenches. Measuring 800m, it provided shelter for ammunition and 170 soldiers. We enjoyed exploring these galleries and discovering their technical aspects, as well as an exhibition in one of the ammunition bunkers.
Practical advice
Self-guided tours include 17 steps to help visitors understand how the battery works. They are available in 7 languages. The classic tour lasts about 1 hour, but enthusiasts can take a 2.5-hour tour thanks to the audioguide’s in-depth level! On-site parking, toilets, bookshop and picnic area. The underground passages are not accessible to baby carriages or wheelchairs. For more information, visit the official website here.
Driving time from the beach: 15min.
Schedules:
- February 6 to April 7 and September 23 to November 11: 1pm-6pm (closed Fridays and Saturdays).
- April 8 to July 7 and September 1 to 22: 10am-6.30pm – closed May1.
- July 8 to August 31: 9.30am-7pm (open daily).
- Annual closure in January.
Rates:
- Full adult price: €8
- Children’s price (7-18 years): €4
- Free admission for children under 7.
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
MORE ABOUT THE D-Day sites
- The best landing sites to visit
- Visit the 5 D-Day landing beaches
- Where to stay – best hotels near the beach
- The best D-Day museums in Normandy
- German batteries to visit
- Car rental tips: Caen – Roissy-CDG – Orly – Beauvais
- Visit Omaha Beach
- Visit Utah Beach
- Visit Gold Beach
- Visit Sword Beach
- Visit Juno Beach (coming soon)
6. Visit the Normandy Victory Museum
Why visit the Normandy Victory Museum?
This museum was an excellent surprise. Although not impressive from the outside, we were transported once inside. The 27 stagings, with sound and a collection of over 15,000 objects and vehicles, are excellent. You’ll discover what life was like for soldiers and civilians during the 100 days following D-Day, and especially during the Battle of the Hedges.
For those who love highly visual museums, this is a must-see! Buy your ticket to save time.
What you will see
On a 2,000m2 tour, you’ll see 27 hyper-realistic scenes, plus archive films. We enjoyed seeing re-enactments with civilians, a welcome change from the usual battle scenes. We also discovered portraits of veterans, through photos, written testimonies and videos, which was very moving. One section of the museum is devoted to the role of women during the war, an original approach that is rarely touched on, and one that interested us greatly. You can also climb aboard an authentic D-Day barge. Finally, you can see a P47 aircraft installed in a crash scene.
Practical advice
Like the D-Day Experience, the Normandy Victory Museum is located in the commune of Carentan-les-Marais, between Utah and Omaha Beach. Dedicated parking is available in front of the museum, which is surrounded by restaurants.
Driving time from the beach: 20min.
Schedules:
- July to August: open daily from 9.30am to 7pm.
- August 29 to September 25: open daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
- September 26 to November 6: open daily from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
- Closed in December and January.
Schedules are subject to regular change, so we recommend you check the official website here before your visit.
Rates:
- Full adult price: €9
- Children’s price (7 to 17 inclusive): €6
- Free admission for children under 7.
- Buy your ticket to save time
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
7. Visit the World War II Museum
Why visit the World War II Museum?
This museum is a little out of the way, north of Utah Beach, but we really liked it. We loved the many scenes of civilian life and the view from the bunker. The collection of objects is extensive and the miniatures are excellent. In fact, talk to the owner about how these miniatures are made – it’s fascinating!
What you will see
In a chronological tour of over 100m2, you’ll see an impressive reconstruction of a Norman street during the Occupation, complete with stores and period soundscapes. The route is dotted with explanatory panels accessible to all, historical objects and photographs. But what makes this museum so special are its scale models, unique in France, representing the key moments from the Occupation to the D-Day Landings. Enjoy the view of Utah Beach from the museum’s bunker and a cinema!
Practical advice
The museum is located in the commune of Quineville, north of Utah Beach. On-site parking and a cookie factory are also available. Bars, restaurants and hotels are nearby.
Driving time from the beach: 20min.
Schedules:
- April 1 to November 6: open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- May 1 to August 31: open daily from 10 am to 7 pm.
- September 1 to November 6: open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Annual closure from November 7 to March 31.
Rates:
- Adult price: €9
- Children’s rate (6-12 years): €6
- Free admission for children under 6.
To check times and prices before your visit, go to the official website here.
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
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8. Explore the Cirsbecq Battery
Why explore the Crisbecq Battery?
The Crisbecq Battery is the most powerful artillery battery on the D-Day landing beaches. It’s a unique and unmissable site, as it was here that the 1st cannon shot was fired at dawn on June 6, 1944. This underground battery, with its 22 blockhouses and complex network of trenches and tunnels, was garrisoned by 400 soldiers! We found the tour very comprehensive, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the daily lives of German soldiers in this unusual facility.
What you will see
The tour takes you through 22 refurbished period blockhouses: command posts, shelters, ammunition bunkers, infirmaries, bedrooms, kitchens and bunkers all come to life thanks to reconstructions. To help you understand how the battery works, explanatory panels in 6 languages can be found at the 22 points of interest on the tour. In addition to the casemates, you’ll see weapons (grenades…), and the famous Saint-Marcouf cannons. An immersive space is also available. We recommend this visit because we learned a lot about batteries!
Practical advice
The tour lasts around 1h to 1h30. The site is not accessible for wheelchairs or baby carriages (there are stairs at each blockhouse). Parking is available on site.
Driving time from the beach: 15min.
Schedules:
- April 1 to June 30 and September 1 to November 13: open daily from 10am to 6pm.
- July to August: open daily from 10am to 7pm.
- Annual closure from mid-November to the end of March.
Rates:
- Full adult rate: €10.50
- Reduced rate: €9.50
- Children’s rate (6-14 years): €6.50
- Free admission for children under 6.
To check the latest schedules and prices, visit the official website here.
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
9. Walking in Sainte-Mère-Église
Why take a walk in Sainte-Mère-Église?
Sainte-Mère-Église is the village where the D-Day landings began. On the night of June 5-6, 1944, American airborne troops landed in the village while a fire was raging in a building opposite the church. Casualties were high, but the Germans withdrew on the morning of June 6, making Sainte-Mère-Église the 1st town liberated by American airborne troops. The Germans organized a counter-attack, leading to intense fighting until June 7.
What you will see
The village owes its fame to John Steele, an American parachutist who hung from the bell tower of the village church. It was this figure that inspired the film The Longest Day, shot in the village in 1961. Thanks to this cult film starring such luminaries of the time as John Wayne, Henry Fonda and Sean Connery, this moment has been immortalized. In tribute to this soldier, a mannequin is still in place on the church steeple. You’ll also see monuments dedicated to the memory of the victims and a milestone of freedom.
Practical advice
Sainte-Mère-Église is a commune in the Manche department, 14km from Carentan-les-Marais. It has several municipal parking lots and is home to the Airbone Museum. Also close to the Azeville Battery (10min drive), it’s an ideal base for visiting Utah Beach and other sites in the area.
Driving time from the beach: 20min.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
Things to do near Utah Beach?
Going to Tatihou Island
To take your mind off the D-Day landings, why not head to Tahihou Island? This little piece of land on the east coast of the Cotentin peninsula is dominated by the Tour Vauban, named after the famous military engineer. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s also a museum and beautiful gardens: a change of scenery guaranteed! You can visit the island every day from April 1 to November 12. For more information, visit the official website here.
Discover Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is a town on the east coast of the Cotentin peninsula. We find it very charming, with its fishing port and its view of the Île de Tatihou, just opposite. Voted France’s favorite village in 2019, the town also has a rich historical past, as it was the scene of the Battle of La Hougue, which pitted the French fleet against the Anglo-Dutch coalition in the 17th century. Like the Île de Tatihou, it features a Vauban tower, the Tour de la Hougue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Ecausseville airship hangar
Why not round off your trip to Utah Beach with an unusual visit? The Hangar à Dirigeables d’Écausseville is just what you need. A 10-minute drive from Sainte-Mère-Église, you’ll enter a huge building, 31m high and 150m long. This museum is the last of the 12 airship construction centers used by the French Navy during the Second World War, to deter enemy submarine offensives. During the First World War, these airships were used to spot enemy submarines and mines! You’ll visit a museum dedicated to the Battle of Montebourg in 1944, watch an explanatory film, then discover the hangar. For prices and opening times, visit the official website here.
Visit the other D-Day beaches: Omaha, Gold, Sword, Juno.
After seeing Utah Beach, would you like to discover the other D-Day beaches? Take a look at our article on the 5 D-Day landing beaches, and our article on the best sites, and decide on your next destination. They’re all must-sees on a trip to Normandy. Their story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
- What to do in Omaha Beach,
- What to do in Gold Beach,
- What to do in Juno Beach (coming soon),
- What to do in Sword Beach.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Utah Beach worth a visit?
Absolutely! Its location, a little off the beaten track from the other D-Day beaches, allows you to discover other landscapes (dunes, etc.), those of the Cotentin region. What’s more, there are many interesting sites to visit in the area (Airborne Museum, batteries…). You’ll gain a better understanding of the role played by American airborne and amphibious troops in the success of D-Day.
What commemorative ceremonies are held at Utah Beach?
Every year, on June 6, a commemorative ceremony is held on all the D-Day landing beaches, including Utah Beach. Ceremonies can also be organized in honor of veterans.
Where does the name Utah Beach come from?
Utah Beach takes its name from the state of origin (Utah) of 2 American non-commissioned officers who took part in the preparatory operations for D-Day, and who were present when military leader Omar Bradley chose the names of the beaches.
What was Utah Beach called before?
Utah Beach used to be called Plage de la Madeleine.
Where can I park in Utah Beach?
There is ample parking next to Utah Beach, and most of the sites listed in this article have parking facilities. You won’t have any trouble parking.
SHE MADE THE TRIP
Claire
