Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Airborne Museum

Eric Belloc, Curator of the Airborne Museum

With a deep passion for the U.S. Air Force’s role in Normandy, Eric is a dedicated researcher eager to share his extensive knowledge with visitors.

A closer look at the Airborne Assault on June 6th, 1944

Even after all these years, Normandy remains a powerful testament to the cost of freedom. Each time we return, we’re moved by new exhibitions that shed light on the incredible stories of bravery, sacrifice, and resilience. On our latest visit to La Manche, we had the privilege of joining an exclusive tour of the Reserve Collection at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Eglise, led by curator Eric Belloc. This newly launched experience in 2023 adds a profound layer to the existing self-guided tours of the C-47 and Neptune buildings, offering a poignant glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of soldiers on that fateful night of June 6, 1944, and the grueling days that followed during the Battle of Normandy.

The Powerful Scenography of the C-47 Building

Although we had visited the museum before, this new exhibit and scenography, inaugurated in October 2021, offered a wealth of information in a variety of engaging formats. The legendary C-47 military transport aircraft—USAAF serial number 42-100825—used during the airborne operations on June 6, 1944, remains the centerpiece of the exhibition, which has been redesigned to incorporate numerous immersive elements: deployed parachutes, suspended mannequins, life-size statues of soldiers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, as well as rifles and other artifacts that can be handled and weighed. Equipped with a Histopad, a touchscreen tablet with hyper-realistic graphics, visitors can enjoy a truly immersive experience, actively engaging with history rather than simply observing it.

The Nepture building and targets of the 82nd AB

By stepping into the cockpit and hearing the roar of the engine, visitors are instantly immersed in the soldiers’ experience during Operation Neptune, forging a deep emotional connection. The dim, atmospheric lighting, paired with chilling statistics, powerfully conveys the immense cost of D-Day: 821 C-47 aircraft were deployed over the Cotentin Peninsula, dropping 13,348 paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions along with their equipment. This carefully curated exhibit in this profound place of remembrance offers a powerful, yet somber, insight into the lives of those caught into the heart of this monumental conflict.

An Exclusive Tour of the Reserve Collection

After exploring the museum at our own pace, we had the privilege of delving into the Reserve Collection in an intimate group of just six, for around 30 minutes. Although technically a storage area rather than a formal gallery, this space offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the curator in a relaxed setting. It’s the perfect chance to ask those practical questions that don’t often fit into a standard tour—about the weight of equipment, the short distances of parachute jumps, and more. Eric shared fascinating stories, insights, and research behind the various authentic artefacts on display: meticulously arranged and labelled clothes, shoes, helmets, and bags that evoke a striking sense of intimacy with the soldiers. This rare access allows visitors to grasp the emotional depth and complexity of the war through the personal items that once belonged to those who lived it.

Our visit concluded with a peaceful walk through the Garden of Remembrance, where plaques bearing the names of fallen soldiers serve as silent tributes. It’s a place for reflection and solace, offering a poignant reminder of the scale of human loss, while also underscoring the fragile nature of peace in our world.

All information is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change; please verify before planning your visit.