Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church
Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church
Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
906 reviews
Excellent
475
Very good
338
Average
86
Poor
6
Terrible
1
luv2ride
Maryland612 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
This site of the famous “parachutist hung on church steeple”: event heralding the start on the D-Day battles, the church is probably a stop on all the history tours. Don’t let that dissuade you from a visit. The interior is highlighted by the unique stained glass windows commemorating the John Steele incident and the thousands of military men (and their units) who helped liberate the area from the occupiers.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Saint-Mere-Eglise. If you can catch a guide that is helpful to understand how the fighting progressed in the area and to really bring the battles to life, so much more than reading the history.
Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Saint-Mere-Eglise. If you can catch a guide that is helpful to understand how the fighting progressed in the area and to really bring the battles to life, so much more than reading the history.
Written June 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rdholler
Atlanta, GA245 contributions
Jan 2020
The church shares the parking lot with the Airborne museum. Be sure to see the "person" hanging from the bell tower - he represents a paratrooper who "landed" on the tower (I understand he did survive and was captured). Go in the church to see the beautiful stained glass window in memory of the paratroopers.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NancyWeld
Columbus, OH238 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
This is a beautiful little church. The most humbling site is the stained glass window that has 2 american paratroopers descending during D-Day. If you're in St. Mere Eglise, you have to tour the church. On D-Day, they have a mannequin of John Steel, the American paratrooper who got stuck on the bell tower during the D-Day invasion. Watch the movie The Longest Day to learn about John and to see the town of St. Mere Eglise. Also, watch the movie The Mother of Normandy to learn about Mrs. Renaud, they mayor's wife who took it upon herself to care for the graves of American soldiers before and after WWII. Very touching.
Written June 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mamaluvs2travel
Richmond, VA266 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Beautiful church set in a beautiful town. Lots of history and across from the Airborne Museum. Parachute still hangs near the top of the church to commemorate D-Day
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gwen
Dordrecht, The Netherlands286 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
A church of which they have many in these parts and this is by far but the nicest one I've seen.
Only gimmick is the mannequin with shoot still hanging on the tower.
I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.
Only gimmick is the mannequin with shoot still hanging on the tower.
I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Weaver
Irvine, CA2,171 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Just steps away from the Airborne Museum, this small church is best known for the parachutist who landed on it's spire and was forced to "play dead" while the battle raged around him. A relpica, complete with white silk parachute, now fills with a slight breeze. Upon entering, I was struck by the beauty of the stained glass windows and alter. Not expecting this in this small village. The town seems to run according to the time set with the opening and closing of the museum. A short shopping area completes the third corner of the square, with residences along the forth. This was worth the time and distance travelled to reach from Honfleur.
Written January 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
daltex972
Dallas, TX39 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
This 11th century Norman village of Sainte Mère-Église witnessed fierce fighting in the early hours of June 6, 1944 since it controlled access to the avenues of approach to and from Utah Beach, but is probably best known for its depiction in the film, The Longest Day, where John Steele's (ie, Red Buttons) parachute gets hung on the bell tower of the town square church. In reality, Pvt. John Steele snagged on the bell tower, while Pvt. Ken Russell’s chute was caught on a window when he landed hard on the slate roof. A third paratrooper, Sgt. John Ray, landed hard in the church square just below Steele and Russell. A number of interesting stories about events during those early hours of June 6th, as well as how the beautiful church stained glass windows were added to the church. Interesting and important history, but not a lot to see once you visit the church and perhaps the American Airborne Museum. We struggled to find an interesting place to eat, but ended up making a bad seletion at a site in the town square. If you want to learn more about actual events that took place here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/jacques_wood/2842315777/
Do not miss hearing Captain Ron Drez (a Vietnam veteran) of Ambrose Historical Tours talk about the night John Steele, Ken Russell and John Ray all dropped into Ste.-Mère-Église. -- http://vimeo.com/64359502
Do not miss hearing Captain Ron Drez (a Vietnam veteran) of Ambrose Historical Tours talk about the night John Steele, Ken Russell and John Ray all dropped into Ste.-Mère-Église. -- http://vimeo.com/64359502
Written July 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jonzgirl
Missouri37 contributions
Jun 2011
We traveled here as part of a Normandy trip with another couple. All four of us grew up watching The Longest Day with our dads, and who could forget the scene where Pvt John Steele parachutes out of the plane and gets tangled up in the church steeple. We wanted to see the paratrooper dummy that has been placed there to commemorate the landing.
Imagine our delight when we drove up to hear the church bells pealing wildly, just as they were the night of the invasion! It was an extremely moving experience as we stood there and thought about the many men that died that night ensuring our freedom. There was a christening taking place and that was the reason for the bells.
We did not enter the church due to the fact it was being used, but just seeing the church and walking around the town square was enough for me to say, "don't miss it". The town square is delightful! There were pictures placed strategically throughout the square showing what the town had looked like shortly before or after the invasion. My husband would like to return for the 70th D-Day Invasion Reunion to meet some of the veterans and I would be more than willing to accompany him.
We toured the Airborne Museum which had a lot of interesting tidbits about the invasion. There was also some great aircraft artwork for sale if you like that sort of thing.
Imagine our delight when we drove up to hear the church bells pealing wildly, just as they were the night of the invasion! It was an extremely moving experience as we stood there and thought about the many men that died that night ensuring our freedom. There was a christening taking place and that was the reason for the bells.
We did not enter the church due to the fact it was being used, but just seeing the church and walking around the town square was enough for me to say, "don't miss it". The town square is delightful! There were pictures placed strategically throughout the square showing what the town had looked like shortly before or after the invasion. My husband would like to return for the 70th D-Day Invasion Reunion to meet some of the veterans and I would be more than willing to accompany him.
We toured the Airborne Museum which had a lot of interesting tidbits about the invasion. There was also some great aircraft artwork for sale if you like that sort of thing.
Written September 15, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
China2015
United Kingdom243 contributions
Sep 2020 • Couples
The church is in a vibrant village with plenty of WW2- themed shops and several restaurants. Lots of visitors engaging with each other over shared interests
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Patty Z
Sacramento, CA234 contributions
Nov 2019
The church is a must-see while touring the area. One of two stained glass windows depicts paratroopers on either side of the Virgin Mary. Another window shows Saint Michael, the patron saint of paratroopers, with inset shields of various Allied military units that fought in or near the village.
Written December 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church
Frequently Asked Questions about Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church
- We recommend booking Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 10 Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church:
- (0.03 mi) B&B La Haule
- (0.03 mi) Chambres de Saint Meen
- (0.06 mi) Chambres D'Hotes De L'Eglise
- (0.11 mi) Hotel du 6 Juin
- (0.06 mi) Great family home ideal for your holidays in the Cotentin
- Restaurants near Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church:
- (0.03 mi) Nyco's Happy Diner
- (0.03 mi) Bar Au Domino
- (0.09 mi) Chez Jeanne
- (0.07 mi) Bistrot 44
- (0.11 mi) Auberge John Steele