The Monument of the Landing of the French 2nd Armored Division features a plaque tracing the division's path from Utah Beach to Strasbourg.
Utah Beach was the site of the first successful Allied amphibious landing on D-Day, with far lower casualties than initially feared.
The site includes a Higgins boat (LCVP) preserved in its original scale to illustrate the landing craft used by infantry.
The 2nd Armored Division, known as the 'Division Leclerc,' was the first major French unit to join the liberation of mainland France.
The coastal dunes at this location were heavily fortified by the German Atlantic Wall, specifically by the WN5 (Widerstandsnest 5) strongpoint.
The Utah Beach D-Day Landing Memorial and the Monument of the Landing of the French 2nd Armored Division mark the westernmost point of the Allied D-Day landings. The site commemorates the arrival of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division on June 6, 1944, and the subsequent landing of General Philippe Leclerc’s 2nd Armored Division on August 1, 1944. The monument to the 2nd Armored Division signifies the return of French forces to liberate their country. Visitors find the site situated directly on the dunes where the amphibious assault took place. Several pieces of military hardware and stone steles dedicated to various units are dispersed along the shoreline. It serves as a commemorative node along the Voie de la 2e DB, the route followed by the French division across France. The site remains an open-air historical space maintained to preserve the memory of the amphibious operation.
The view from the dunes looking toward the sea, capturing the monument against the backdrop of the coastline.
Wear sturdy, wind-resistant clothing as the exposed coastal location is subject to strong Channel winds.
Visit the nearby Utah Beach Landing Museum for comprehensive maps and equipment displays that contextualize the shoreline monuments.
Walk along the dunes to see the remains of German concrete bunkers integrated into the landscape.
Do not climb or sit on the historical plaques or military hardware as they are sensitive commemorative markers.
Maintain a respectful demeanor as the site functions as a war memorial and burial ground for those lost in the conflict.
