Travel through 60 years of history at the Utah Beach Landing Museum

Thanks to the members of his municipal council and the staff, the museum continues to preserve the history of the D-Day landing while evolving with modern ideas. Visitor revenues enable the commune of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont to maintain the museum, monuments, parking areas, and dune protection.

1952 – The First Decisions

As early as 1951, Michel de Vallavieille, mayor of the commune of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, initiated the project despite local reluctance. After lengthy negotiations, the commune acquired the land in 1955, seeing the museum’s creation as a way to preserve this historic site. Today, the priority remains the conservation of the collections for future generations, with a spirit of gratitude and respect.

1962 – Creation of the Museum

The museum was established to preserve the memory of the liberators while ensuring the commune had the necessary resources for its development, site maintenance, and dune protection. After long hesitation, the Municipal Council approved the construction in 1961, but due to a lack of funding, Mayor Michel de Vallavieille took out a personal loan to bring the project to life. Supported by the Ministry of National Education, American officers, and veterans’ associations, the museum took shape thanks to the first donations of historical artifacts. Two witnesses from the era were recruited to guide visitors, and a landing craft was acquired. On June 6, 1962, after the commemorations, the Utah Beach Landing Museum was officially inaugurated.

1964 & 1984 – First Expansions

From its opening in 1962, the Utah Beach Museum quickly became a success, requiring an expansion. In 1964, a panoramic room was inaugurated in partnership with the United States, attracting over 65,000 visitors in the year of the 20th anniversary of the D-Day landing.

In the 1980s, General Collins and American officers offered their help in the creation of a documentary film. In 1982, an expansion project was launched, including a cinema and an exhibition room, partially funded by public subsidies. On June 6, 1984, eight heads of state attended the commemorations, establishing Utah Beach as a major historical site, with annual attendance surpassing 80,000 visitors.

1994 – The Expansion

Michel de Vallavieille died on October 7, 1991 at the age of 71, after 42 years at the head of his beloved commune. Jean Lavillonnière then took over the destiny of the commune and the museum. In 1992, the commune joined the new Departmental Committee for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Landing, Landings, a structure that would provide financial assistance (subsidies covering 80% of the 5 million francs needed to expand the museum). Work began in September 1993, leading to the museum’s reopening on June 4, 1994, with a panoramic view of Utah Beach.

Henri Milet succeeded Jean Lavillonnière in 1998, with Charles de Vallavieille in charge of the museum. A complete overhaul of the exhibitions was carried out, with the installation in 2004 of a showcase dedicated to the American bombardments before the assault, marking a turning point in the museum’s modernization.

2011 – The Renewal

By the 2000s, the museum had regained its initial popularity, reaching 80,000 annual visitors. In June 2007, the sons of Major David H. Dewhurst, David Jr. and Eugene, discovered their father’s history at the museum and offered their support for its expansion and modernization. A large-scale project, funded by subsidies and their contributions, added significant historical artifacts, including an assault craft and a B-26 bomber. The museum reopened in 2011 with a new exhibition design and a documentary film donated by the Dewhurst family. By 2019, visitor numbers had reached 180,000 before the pandemic slowed its growth.

2022 – Perpetuate the Memory

Since its creation in 1962, the Utah Beach Landing Museum, founded by Michel de Vallavieille, has remained a cornerstone of historical remembrance. Supported by the commune of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, the museum is a living institution dedicated to preserving the site and its collections. Visitor revenue continues to fund museum maintenance, the upkeep of the historic site, dunes, and local monuments.

Current mayor Charles de Vallavieille emphasizes the importance of protecting historical artifacts for future generations. After 60 years, the museum continues to honor the sacrifices of soldiers while evolving with the times, always remaining true to its spirit of respect and remembrance. The primary goal is to preserve the collections so that future generations can experience them under the best possible conditions.