Camp Geronimo is an World War II American historical reenactment camp, organized by the Airborne Museum. It is based in Sainte-Mère-Eglise and takes place every year during the Normandy Landings anniversary commemorations in early June. Admission is always free.
ANNOUNCEMENT: CAMP GERONIMO 82ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDINGS WILL BE HELD FROM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026.
Camp activities program
- Display – “GI Entertainment in the Field”
An exhibition highlighting sports, games, and reading among soldiers in the field.
- Display – “The U.S. Army Postal Service” NEW
This workshop will showcase the various types of mail and packages delivered to soldiers in the field.
- Display – “Equipment of U.S. Airborne Troops”
This workshop presents all the equipment used by American paratroopers.
- The workshop includes ground displays and demonstrations of how to set up the equipment.
- Parachutes, containers, and individual and collective weaponry.
- Pathfinders’ specialized equipment for day/night DZ marking.
- Display – “Field Kitchen”
This workshop covers the presentation of a soldier’s food in the field, from combat rations to the use of the “popotte” stove in camp.
- Display – “Field Mechanics Workshop” NEW
Presentation of a field mechanics workshop on a jeep.
- Spare parts workshop
- Demonstration of tank engine replacement
- Demonstration of heavy vehicle recovery.
- Display – “Medical Evacuation”
Presentation of a medical evacuation station, with equipment and vehicles
- First aid for the wounded
- Evacuation to field hospitals
- Demonstration “Stick Para and/or Pathfinders”
A group of paratroopers demonstrates boarding before a combat jump.
A dynamic, guided demonstration lasting approximately 30 minutes at the camp.
- Exhibition of an “armored reconnaissance platoon”
Exhibition of the equipment, vehicles, and gear of a U.S. armored unit.
- Tank presentation
- Dynamic demonstration of tanks and armored vehicles.
- Display – “Field Camp”
Presentation of a rest and living area in the field
- Soldier and officer quarters in tents
- The role of chaplains
Church square activities program
Wednesday June 3
- 9 a.m.: Camp opens
- 4 p.m.: Paratrooper demonstration from 1944 to the present day/Pathfinders
Thursday June 4
- 12:00 PM: Parachute demonstration from 1944 to the present / Pathfinders
- 2:00 PM: Military vehicle exhibition
Friday June 5
- 10:30 AM: Military vehicle exhibition
- 4:00 PM: Parachute demonstration from 1944 to the present / Pathfinders
- 11:00 PM: Nighttime Pathfinders demonstration
- 11:30 PM: Searchlight demonstration
Saturday June 6
- 10 AM–6 PM: Book signing for the comic book “John Steele, the Paratrooper of Sainte-Mère-Eglise” at the Airborne Museum shop
- 6 PM: Parachute demonstration from 1944 to the present day/Pathfinders
Sunday June 7
- 10:30 a.m.: Military vehicle exhibition
- 7:00 p.m.: Grand historical parade in Sainte-Mère-Eglise
- 7:00 p.m.: Closing of the Camp
Every year, Normandy’s D-Day anniversary celebrations take the region back several decades, to 1944. Festivities, concerts, entertainment of all kinds, and above all ceremonies take place over several days. Reenactment camps are also organized throughout the region. For nearly fifteen years now, the Airborne Museum has been organizing its own camp, Camp Geronimo.
Entirely dedicated to American troops, particularly paratroopers, Camp Geronimo brings together several associations every year, mainly French, but also Spanish and British. The camp’s purpose is educational. Through numerous activities both within the camp and outside its walls, enthusiasts who are present every day from morning to night aim to share the history that fascinates them with the public. Camp Geronimo has hosted or continues to host a wide variety of events, including:
- A country cinema
- A religious service tent
- A parachute jump simulator
- An infirmary
- A canteen
- An engineering corps post
- A radio transmission post
- Dormitories
- Period wooden showers
- A horse paddock
As for the activities themselves, they generally include:
- Demonstrations of paratroopers’ preparations before embarking for D-Day
- Vehicle exhibitions
- Demonstrations of searchlight operation
- Demonstrations of Pathfinder unit organization
- Demonstrations of Glider unit organization
- And many workshops on the site of the camp
The various historical reenactment associations present at the camp also bring along, in addition to their tents, numerous vintage military vehicles. There are usually between 5 and 7 armored vehicles at the camp, a multitude of Jeeps and Dodges, a few motorcycles, but also some rarer vehicles, such as a Pacific M26, for example.
Please note that the museum may accept applications to participate in the camp on a case-by-case basis. To do so, please call 02 33 41 78 03 to make initial contact.
Some photos from previous editions:
