"Op 'Neptune' Exhibition at Musee Airborne, Ste Mere-Eglise" Topic

I just thought I'd mention here, for anyone planning a trip to Normandy, that the new 'Operation Neptune' exhibition at the Musee Airborne in Ste Mere-Eglise is absolutely epic! It's now right there at the top of my 'must see' list, along with the son et lumiere at the Merville Battery.

The exhibition is in a brand-new building and came as a complete surprise to me, as they hadn't even started building it last August!

As you walk into the building you enter complete darkness, then find yourself within a half-fuselage of a C-47. Mannequeins of paratroops sit along the opposite wall and you're deafened by engine, radio and flak noise. The scene is lit by the red 'Ready' light, as well as by flak flashes from the windows. The whole thing also vibrates realistically in time with the noise. You glimpse the wing occasionally through the windows as flak lights it up.

Walking along the fuselage, you then step through the jump-door into the best bit. I was genuinely taken by surprise here, as I was talking to a cadet behind me – I'd stepped through the door onto a glass floor, below which was a miniature model of Normandy terrain, lit dimly by fake moonlight and occasional flashes. I genuinely felt vertigo and I was VERY impressed by the overall effect.

Walking into the next room, there was a son et lumiere with mannequins of German sentries, Paras, the church tower at Ste Mere Eglise, depicting the chaotic landing of the Paras. Not as good as the previous bit, but still very well done.

Then there was a very well-done scene, showing Paras up to their knees in swamp, trying to retrieve supplies. This featured an excellent KO'd German H39 (fibreglass – though it looked very real), looking very much like those knocked out at La Fiere. Then you moved through 'bocage hedgerows' to the exit (featuring a Piper Cub hanging from the ceiling).

All in all, I recommend it very highly indeed. I'm not normally a fan of modern museums with lots of bells and whistles that detract from the actual exhibits (or conceal the lack of actual exhibits – I'm looking at you Centre Juno Beach), but this is simply superb. The Musee Airborne (housing a C-47, CG-4 and simply heaps of interesting exhibits with absolutely NO touch-screens) has always been one of the better museums in Normandy, but the new exhibition is worth the entrance fee alone.

Wow, that sounds incredible. It is great to see someone with vision combining the best of history with a modern twist.

Reminds me of the Marine Corps museum in Virginia and walking through the helicopter to "step" off onto Khe Sahn. The room is even warm and the Korean room is cold too!
Larry

Just got back from a visit and it was awesome – of the museums our tour went to it was probably my favourite, or at least on a par with the Pegasus memorial which had family meaning for me. The jump door which goes onto a clear floor with models of c-47s and paras below you was enhanced by the blast of air you got as you stepped out. A lady behind me was so freaked out her hubby had to come back for her.

I can't wait to go back as we had to rush the museum a bit.

I didn't notice the blast of air – too overloaded by all the other sensory input, I guess!

I hope they keep it well-maintained, as the glass floor is presently new and crystal-clear. The dark room also casts no reflection on the glass, so it really does look as though your legs are dangling in space – a very good illusion that could easily be ruined, should the floor become heavily scratched and dirty.

YouTube link

I'll second all of JF's comments. Spent a week doing the Normandy tour thing last month and this exhibit was awesome. In fact, 2nd only to the Pegasus Bridge museum and the cafe. But being a Brit' I may be slightly bias!

Also very good was the Polish 1st Armoured Museum. Bit of a drive from the beaches, but the guide was excellent. His mother was alive during the Falaise battle and lived in the middle of it. It was her post battle memories that he told us about that made the greatest impression. The millions of flys, the stench from thousands of dead horses etc, all in such a small area. Very sobering.