What to do in Sainte-Mère-Église

The town liberated by the paratroopers

In the night of 5 to 6 June 1944, the American paratroopers rained down on Sainte-Mère-Église. Several hours later, the Allies landed on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The fighting that followed in that month of June marked history forever; the history of our freedom.

Today, the town of Sainte-Mère-Église bears witness to the battle that raged there, and the monuments, museums and the effigy on the church tower all remind us of the not so distant past. What to do in Sainte-Mère-Église, what to see, where to stay and where to eat: here are some suggestions for discovering the town, its history, and remembering the events that took place during D-Day in Normandy

Visiting Sainte-Mère-Église

The church and the centre of Sainte-Mère-Église

Sainte-Mère-Église

With a map in your hand (or on your phone), follow the Sainte-Mère-Église historical trail. The 15 information panels dotted along the route guide you through the strategic sites of D-Day on 6 June 1944 and the liberation of the town: the Church with the effigy hanging from the tower, the temporary cemetery (shown by a monument), the burned house, marker 0, and more. The panels will help you to understand the history of the town during this critical event of the Second World War. Before the end of your walk, head into the church to admire the modern stained glass windows dedicated to the paratroopers that were installed for the 25th anniversary of D-Day.

Map of the Sainte-Mère-Église historical trail

After your visit, if you’re an art lover, be sure to stop at the ACES High Aviation Gallery, where you’ll find aeronautical and military artwork linked to D-Day in Normandy. Original paintings, signed prints, collectors’ objects, postcards and more: there's something for everyone.

Airborne museum

Sainte-Mère-Église

Since 1964, this museum has paid tribute to the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, who liberated Sainte-Mère-Église during the Second World War. A Waco glider and a Douglas C-47 that were used in the airdrops of 6 June 1944 are on display. You'll also find a large collection of everyday objects, including food, drinks, medical equipment, playing cards, weapons and much more. The immersive visit, different films and realistic scenery plunge you into the heart of the Battle of Normandy in that critical month of June.

Airborne Museum

La Fière memorial

Sainte-Mère-Église

Three kilometres from Sainte-Mère-Église, the statue of the American paratrooper “Iron Mike” watches over the marshes and the river Merderet. For three days here from 6 June 1944, a battle raged to capture the bridge leading to Sainte-Mère-Église. The Allies arrived in the night by airdrop and joined the landing troops to take La Fière bridge by storm. The fighting ended on 9 June after a final attack through the areas flooded by the German troops. Every year, parachute drops and commemorations are held to pay tribute to the many American paratroopers who lost their lives during this battle. For the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the La Fière airdrops will take place on Sunday 9 June 2024.

La ferme-musée du Cotentin

Step through the door of this old 17th century farm that’s now a museum and immerse yourself in the daily lives of the people living there in the early 20th century. Stroll through the main room with its huge fireplace, take a look at the cider press, the laundry room, the dairy, the stables and the barn. The museum has an interesting collection of tools, machinery, furniture and other objects used in rural agricultural life in the last century. The visit continues outside with carts, agricultural machinery and tractors telling the story of agricultural change over the years. Kids will love the visit of the farmyard: Cotentin hens, Normandy geese, Normandy rabbits, Rouen ducks, “des Fossés” goats and Cotentin donkeys: follow the outdoor trail to learn all about Normandy breeds, and don't forget the beehive, the vegetable garden and the orchard.

From 2 June to 3 November 2024, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Museum will host an exhibition on the ingenuity of the inhabitants of Sainte-Mère-Église during and after the Second World War. Following years of shortages, they learned to repurpose military equipment as everyday objects: a helmet became a grain measure, a gas mask case became a milk churn, and so on.

La ferme-musée du Cotentin

John Steele, the paratrooper on the church tower in Sainte-Mère-Église

Made famous by the film “The Longest Day”, John Steele was an American paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Second World War. In the night of 5 to 6 June 1944, he was dropped with his team into the Sainte-Mère-Église zone where the battle was raging. Wounded during the jump, he fell onto the church tower and couldn't get free. He was later taken down by two German soldiers who treated him and took him prisoner. A short while later, he escaped and rejoined the American troops.

He returned to Sainte-Mère-Église several times to take part in the D-Day commemorations in Normandy. He died of cancer in 1969.

To symbolise and commemorate the event, an effigy hangs from the church tower, and can be seen from Place du 6 Juin 1944.

Activities around Sainte-Mère-Église

The Azeville battery

Azeville

Built by the Germans close to the village of Azeville, the battery formed part of the Atlantic Wall, along with the batteries in Crisbecq and Varreville. Four reinforced concrete casemates housed guns and were linked by an impressive network of underground tunnels and trenches. Used during the landings on 6 June 1944 at Utah Beach, the battery was taken by the Allies on 9 June.

With your audioguide, visit the tunnels and two casemates. Immerse yourself in the life of a German garrison on the eve of the Battle of Normandy, discover the role of the Azeville battery and its operations. For an exclusive personalised visit, try the guided tour (during the school holidays).

The Azeville battery

Le Clos des Pieds Nus - Aux 5 sens

Picauville

Take off your shoes and socks, at the Clos des Pieds Nu we want to see your toes! In this sensory garden, the barefoot nature walk takes you to discover new sensations: sand, straw, pebbles, mud, beads, bark, and more. Dotted with information on the properties of plants, as well as games and activities, this 1.7 km trail takes you through a birch forest, a maze of hornbeams and a rose garden. All your senses will be stimulated during this family friendly activity.

Le Clos des Pieds Nus

The beach huts at Ravenoville

These pretty, multicoloured beach huts have been looking out across the beach at Ravenoville since the early 1900s. Originally fishermen’s huts, they rapidly became holiday homes or even year-round homes for some. Today, the 65 gorgeous pastel coloured huts, protected by the seawall, are a perfect photo opportunity, just like the famous beach huts in Gouville-sur-Mer

Normandy Discovery Tour

Prepare for total immersion with Flavie and Thomas, who will take you for a spin in their World War II jeep. What better way to understand the fighting that took place in Sainte-Mère-Église and Utah Beach than to follow these two passionate guides on a tour while they tell you stories about that time. They offer several different circuits and jeep tours, ranging from one hour to a full day. Follow the path of the soldiers on D-Day and find out all about the men who gave France its freedom. An unusual experience that you won’t forget!

Normandy Discovery Tour

Foodie spots in Sainte-Mère-Église

Les Écuries

Discover a hidden gem right in the centre of Sainte-Mère-Église: the restaurant Les Écuries. The gate opens onto a leafy garden with palm trees and flowering shrubs. At the end is a large terrace and the renovated stables. A gorgeous setting for a delicious lunch!

L’Auberge de l’Ouve

Standing next to the river, this lovely stone building has an old world charm. On the menu, flame-grilled meats or more exotic dishes, all made using local products.

Le biscuit de Sainte-Mère-Église

Right in the centre of Sainte-Mère-Église, discover an unmissable spot. An artisanal biscuit factory with a shop selling products from Normandy, a chocolate factory, a tea room and a restaurant: this place is heaven for foodies! It’s open all year round and is the perfect place to buy a gift basket, indulge in a delicious hot chocolate, stock up on homemade biscuits or tuck into the dish of the day.

Le biscuit de Sainte Mère-Église

Brasserie de Sainte-Mère-Église

Jérome has been brewing craft beers in Sainte-Mère-Église since 2014. White, amber, IPA, but also speciality beers such as Liberty Road with hazelnut flavours or Souliers Rouges with hibiscus: there's a great choice and the beers have won numerous World Beer Awards. Head to the brewery to sample one of the 11 varieties, and why not treat yourself to an aperitif platter at the same time?

You can buy the beer directly from the shop selling regional products attached to the brewery, or in the shop in the centre of Sainte-Mère-Église.

You can visit the brewery at 3.00 p.m. from Monday to Saturday in the summer holidays.

Brasserie de Sainte-Mère-Église

Where to stay in Sainte-Mère-Église

B&B in Sainte-Mère-Eglise

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Gites in Sainte-Mère-Église

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Gesthouse in Sainte-Mère-Eglise

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Campsite in Sainte-Mère-Eglise

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Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated by the paratroopers

What happened on 6 June 1944 in this small town on the Cotentin Peninsula?

In the night of 5 to 6 June 1944, the first American paratroopers (the Pathfinders) of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions jumped from C-47 aircraft over Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église. They were the first troops to touch the French soil. During that night, 15 000 troops were dropped over the village and surrounding area. Many of them drowned in the marshes that had been purposefully flooded by the Germans, while in Sainte-Mère-Église, the enemy opened fire on the paratroopers.

Dragged by their parachutes, some of them got stuck in trees, and Private John Steele was left hanging from the church tower for two hours before he was taken down.

In the early morning of 6 June 1944, Sainte-Mère-Église was under the control of the US army, soon to be joined by reinforcements that had just landed at Utah Beach. It became the first French town to be liberated by the airborne troops and, despite German counter-attacks, was not recaptured.

Although the inhabitants fled the fighting in the town on D-Day, there were many civilian deaths between May and August 1944.

What was the objective of these parachute drops?

On the eve of the Battle of Normandy, the Sainte-Mère-Église area was a strategic crossroads. The parachute drops were aimed at protecting the landings at Utah Beach, 12 km away, and capturing the bridges at La Fière and Chef-du-Pont. By liberating Sainte-Mère-Église, the allies established a bridgehead in the Cotentin Peninsula to rapidly take control of Cherbourg and its deep sea harbour, which was a strategic site for conveying goods and supplying the landed troops.

Every year, Sainte-Mère-Église and its surrounding area celebrate the Liberation. Convoys of military vehicles, reconstructed military camps, parades and ceremonies: for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the programme of commemorations will be rich and memorable.

The accidental fire that lit up the paratroopers

At 11.00 p.m. on 5 June 1944, a house behind the church caught fire. The bell sounded the alarm throughout Sainte-Mère-Église and firemen and inhabitants tried in vain to put out the fire. The curfew was lifted and the locals made a human chain from the pump near the church, under the careful watch of the German soldiers. Suddenly, the rumbling of C-47 aircraft covered the noise of the fire and the inhabitants and soldiers saw paratroopers raining down all around them. The Germans began shooting at the US paratroopers who were landing with difficulty in the church square. The battle began and the Germans fell back during the night to their headquarters one kilometre away. At 4.00 a.m., the American flag was raised over the town hall.