Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy
History and war buffs, rejoice! The Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy is just what the doctor ordered for anyone who wants to know more about that fateful day. Arguably, it's the most informative about D-Day out of all the museums on this list. Exhibit upon exhibit displays everything you need to know about that operation. How the Allied forces came together to agree on a plan and how they executed it perfectly without the Axis powers knowing anything. Its in-house film, "Normandy 44, a Decisive Victory in the West." also shows a lot of what you need to know about D-Day.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pegasus Bridge
No, the Pegasus Bridge wasn't named as such because it looks like the mythological creature. Though it does resemble it a bit, hence, the misconception is somewhat understandable. But this bridge actually played a huge part in the D-Day operations. It was instrumental in allowing the Allied Forces further entry into France. At the same time, they were also able to halt German reinforcements from entering the same territory. Today, the bridge welcomes visitors who want to discover the true significance of that day and the operations that took place. And it doesn't hurt that the structure is quite a man-made marvel as well.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sword Beach and the Atlantic Wall Museum
At Riva-Bella, the easternmost beach among the D-Day beaches stands a version of Casino, a German bunker that helped the Nazis stay claim of that area of France. On D-Day, French soldiers, with the help of the Allied forces, stormed Casino and further aided the demise of German forces in that area (and in France overall). Today, the rebuilt bunker operates as a museum, with every little detail replicating what it looked like on that fateful day. It's now part of the Sword Beach and the Atlantic Wall Museum, sites that tell the story of how a few brave and free French soldiers helped free the country.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Juno Beach
Juno Beach is a special place for Canadians. Along this beautiful coastal area are museums, exhibits, and more that show how the Canadians helped during D-Day. Their contribution of man-power and intelligence proved essential in really acting under the Germans' noses at the time. Furthermore, the place is also significant as, on June 4, 1944, two days before D-Day, President Charles de Gaulle made a brief return to the country after fleeing it four years prior when the Germans occupied France. This small moment, albeit part of the larger significance of D-Day, showed just how near France was at freedom at the time.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pointe du Hoc
If you were expecting war ruins in Normandy, you'd largely be disappointed. Though relics are a dime a dozen here, not a lot of them show how it was really like during that fateful day in 1944. At least, none like Pointe du Hoc. a vast terrain surrounded by cliffs, and has since been covered by lush greeneries, this area became a pivotal battleground in the war. It was here where a lot of lives were lost, but also, where victory started coming closer and closer to the Allied Forces. To this day, visitors can still feel the heaviness of war just by standing on the sacred ground.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sainte-Mère-Église
Whilst traveling Normandy, you might find a beautiful church with a statue of a man hanging from the side by his parachute. The man in question is paratrooper John Steele, one of the first American soldiers to descend unto the area during D-Day. And the church in question is Sainte-Mère-Église, the center of the town that was one of the first that was liberated by the Allied forces on that fateful day. American forces parachuted down to ensure that this freed area would not be taken by German troops again. And on that historic day, the American flag flew as a sign of victory!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Arromanches
Perhaps the widest patch of open land—or more accurately, open sands—among the many D-Day beaches is probably at Arromanches. Without a harbor at the time, it became easier for the Allied forces to march into Normandy without getting detected by the Germans. Though, at the same time, it became difficult for them to transport men and equipment unto the shorts without the harbor as well. Still, as history has shown, the operation remained successful until the end. The museum here recounts how British, American, Canadian, and French soldiers were able to inconspicuously take back this part of France from the Nazis.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
American Cemetery at Omaha Beach
Finally, there's the American cemetery at Omaha beach. It's here where the countless heroes from the United States of America, those who lost and sacrificed their lives to save France and claim victory over racism, were laid to rest. One can't help but feel the heaviness of the tragedy whilst here. Even though many tourists visit this site without even having a relative or ancestor buried here, they do so out of respect for their contributions to the war. Those who rest here paid with their lives and the price is the peace that followed after the four dreadful years of the Second World War.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
D-Day is more than just a holiday. It was a historic day that led to the victory of the Allied Forces during World War II. Today, the many beaches in Normandy stand testament to the intelligence, sacrifices, and success that helped bring the world peace.
