Omaha & surroundings

The beach Omaha

Omaha beach was one of the five landing sectors on D-Day. It is divided into several operational zones ranging from Charlie to Georges, each assigned to specific units.

The main exit from the beach was at a place called «Les Moulins», exit D3, where the Signal monument now stands at St-Laurent-sur-Mer. Between Colleville, St-Laurent and Vierville, 15 German defensive positions were still active at the time of the assault.

Divisions landed

Sectors

The cemetery - 3 km from the museum

Located just 3 km from the museum, the Normandy American Cemetery majestically overlooks Omaha Beach from the top of the cliff. This emblematic site is more than just a visit: it's a voluntary, almost intimate process, where every visitor is invited to reflect on and honor the memory of the American soldiers who fell on D-Day.

From the moment you enter, the site impresses with its harmony and solemnity. Beyond the reception building, a semi-circular memorial catches the eye, with a bronze statue at its center representing «the Spirit of American Youth rising from the waves». The central aisle then continues through ten perfectly aligned squares where 9,389 soldiers, including women and unknown soldiers, are laid to rest.

The white crosses, facing west towards the United States, stretch as far as the eye can see across an impeccably manicured lawn. The whole, lulled by the constant presence of the sea, exudes a unique atmosphere of peace and serenity.

At the heart of the site, the chapel, located at the crossroads of the main aisles in the shape of a Latin cross, houses a black marble altar bearing the inscription :
«I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.
Behind the memorial, the Garden of Remembrance pays tribute to the fallen: 1,557 names are engraved on an arched wall.

A place of memory and emotion, this exceptional site is maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), whose mission is to preserve the memory of the sacrifices of American military forces around the world.

Normandy American Cemetery - Omaha Beach