Airborne Museum
About This Museum
You might not expect to find a building shaped like a WWII parachute and a Waco glider in the middle of the French countryside, but that's the Airborne Museum for you. It sits just a stone's throw from the square where paratrooper John Steele famously got caught on the church steeple. Walking through its halls feels less like a museum visit and more like stepping directly into the past, surrounded by the very equipment and personal stories of the men who jumped into the darkness on D-Day. The sheer authenticity of it all, from the uniforms to the handwritten letters, is genuinely moving.
Collection Highlights
The absolute centerpiece is 'Brecourt,' a real C-47 aircraft that actually flew on D-Day, suspended dramatically in one of the halls. You can also walk right through a full-scale replica of a Waco glider and see General Eisenhower's original jeep, 'Old Ironsides.' Don't miss the incredibly personal items, like a playing card one soldier carried for luck all the way through the war.
Visitor Information
It's super easy to find on Rue Eisenhower in Sainte-Mère-Église—you literally can't miss the unique buildings. Give yourself at least two hours; you'll want to read everything. Booking tickets online ahead of time is a good idea during peak season to skip any lines.
Architecture & Building
The museum isn't housed in one building but three distinct structures: one is designed to look like a vast, open parachute canopy, and another mimics the unique silhouette of a Waco military glider. It's modern and symbolic rather than traditional.
Contact & Location
Address: Rue Eisenhower, Richedoux, Sainte-Mère-Église, Cherbourg, Manche, Normandie, France métropolitaine, 50480, France
Phone: +33 2 33 41 41 35
Website: Visit Website
