The Overlooked Beach In France Rick Steves Recommends For US History Buffs

While the history of the United States is intertwined with multiple countries of Europe, World War II provided new facets to these international relationships. Information about this era is constantly being uncovered as all countries involved work to honor the era's heroes. Omaha Beach in northern France was a prime landing area for Allied troops on D-Day, one of the most significant dates of World War II. Those looking for glimpses into history frequent this beach for its emotional memorials and fascinating museums.

Omaha Beach is definitely among the important places for U.S. history buffs to add to their bucket list, but travel expert Rick Steves believes that Utah Beach is among these, too. Utah Beach received D-Day troops as well, and its powerful landmarks make it one of the many underrated tourist destinations to visit on your next trip to France. Steves recommends starting with the Utah Beach Landing Museum. The military equipment on display here includes one of just six B-26 bomber planes still around today. Keep your eye out for remaining military structures and monuments around the outside of the museum, too.

Sainte-Mère-Église, slightly inland from Utah Beach, combines World War II history with a quaint village worthy of a period drama. The Church of Sainte-Mère-Église features a statue of a man dangling from a parachute stuck on the church's roof. It was inspired by John Steele, a paratrooper who experienced just that during the D-Day landings. However, one could argue that the replica symbolizes all the paratroopers and their vital roles in the war. Dive deeper into this part of World War II's Allied forces at the Airborne Museum next to the church. On his website, Rick Steves called this museum a "nirvana for military-history buffs." Visitors here can feel what it was like to do a nighttime jump with the museum's realistic displays that evoke more senses than just sight.

Throughout Sainte-Mère-Église, you'll come across more monuments, large and small. Some to look for include Stèle des Trois Cimetières and the Theodore Roosevelt Jr Memorial Statue. To help make sense of all the landmarks in the region, stop at the tourist information center across from the Church of Sainte-Mère-Église parking lot.

South of Sainte-Mère-Église is the D-Day Collins Museum at Château de Franquetot. This stately building served as a meeting place for some of the United States' top military personnel, such as General Collins and General Eisenhower. The château's decor has not been touched since, and its rooms are staged to recapture the energy of the strategic meetings that took place here during World War II. You'll see service uniforms and battle-damaged helmets on display, too. 

Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église might seem far off the beaten path, but buses connect Sainte-Mère-Église with the larger town of Bayeux (a significant World War II destination in its own right). Tour companies like D-Day Battle Tours and Normandy Jeep Tours can get you to Utah Beach and other major sites from Sainte-Mère-Église. Both have headquarters close to the Airborne Museum. Set up tours with either company through the contact information provided on their websites. Of course, renting a car is an option as well, but remember Rick Steves' important tip when booking a rental car in Europe.