Sainte-Mère-Église Church

Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption stands in the centre of the town of Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France. The town is one of the most popular destinations in the American landing sectors for visitors interested in the history of the D-Day landings.

The Paratrooper on the Church

In the early hours of 6 June 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division were dropped over the Cotentin Peninsula to secure key routes leading inland from Utah Beach. During the operation, Private John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment landed in the centre of Sainte-Mère-Église and became caught on the church steeple when his parachute was snagged.

Steele remained suspended for several hours while fighting continued below. He was eventually taken prisoner by German troops before managing to escape and rejoin his unit. The incident, later depicted in the film The Longest Day, made the church internationally known. Today, an effigy of the paratrooper and his parachute remain attached to the steeple as a memorial to this event and to all airborne soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings.

Inside the Church

The interior of the Église de Sainte-Mère-Église contains several tributes to the airborne forces involved in the liberation of the town. The stained-glass windows depict paratroopers descending from the sky alongside religious imagery, combining remembrance with faith. There are also memorial plaques dedicated to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.

The church remains an active place of worship and continues to attract visitors from around the world who wish to learn about the events of D-Day and the history of Sainte-Mère-Église.

The Town Square

The town square surrounding the church forms the historic heart of Sainte-Mère-Église and played an important role during the night of the airborne landings.

Around the square, a series of information boards display wartime photographs and descriptions showing how the area appeared during June 1944 and the fighting that took place here. These panels help visitors visualise the events that unfolded in and around the square during the early hours of D-Day.

Some of the metal railings opposite the church still show visible bullet damage from the battle, providing a tangible reminder of the intense combat that occurred in this small Normandy town.

Visiting Sainte-Mère-Église Church

The church is centrally located within Sainte-Mère-Église, surrounded by cafés and small shops. Directly opposite stands the Airborne Museum, and a visit to the church can easily be combined with the museum and a walk around the historic town.