Summary of Attractions
Primarily recognized as a ferry port, Cherbourg-Octeville boasts an array of attractions: the Cité de la Mer museum, for instance, transports visitors back to the golden era of transatlantic travel, residing within an expansive Art Deco ocean liner terminal.
Cherbourg is home to the largest artificial harbor globally, which took 70 years to complete and continues to be protected by sea forts at its entrance. This, combined with the fortified Roule Hill, imparts a robust military ambiance to the town; however, the Cotentin Peninsula reveals a more tranquil aspect, comprising lush greenery, apple orchards, cider presses, and châteaux with meticulously landscaped gardens.
Let us examine the most significant attractions in Cherbourg-Octeville:
1. La Cité de la Mer
Cherbourg’s flagship attraction is this remarkable science and history museum located in the former Transatlantic maritime terminal within the harbor.
This expansive Art Deco hall, measuring 240 meters, was completed in 1928 and originally featured numerous amenities, including its own post office.
The museum, inaugurated in 2002, builds upon this legacy.
A dedicated section focuses on the Titanic, which made a stop in Cherbourg five days prior to its tragic sinking.
Moreover, visitors can explore France’s first nuclear submarine, Le Redoutable, launched in 1967. The aquarium, featuring 17 tanks (including the tallest in Europe), showcases 4,000 marine species, captivating children and adults alike.
2. Rade de Cherbourg
Those intrigued by maritime history will be eager to discover more about the largest man-made harbor in the world.
This harbor was inaugurated in 1853 after 70 years of development, surpassing any other contemporary project except St Petersburg.
During July and August, there are four daily tours aboard the 82-seater Adèle.
This vessel departs from the Pont Tournant and stops at La Cité de la Mer before navigating through the 1,500-hectare harbor.
You’ll witness the extensive seawalls and three fortresses while receiving fascinating insights about this remarkable site.
3. Musée Thomas-Henry
Housed in a specially designed gallery, Cherbourg’s fine arts museum exhibits an impressive collection of paintings spanning from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
In the 19th century, the museum’s benefactor, Thomas Henry, contributed a collection featuring works by notable artists including Murillo, Jacob Jordaens, Rigaud, Poussin, and Vouet.
A young Jean-François Millet, who later became a prominent figure in the Barbizon School, visited to sketch these paintings.
In subsequent years, the museum acquired the second-largest collection of Millet’s works after the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
The museum also showcases exceptional pieces from the 19th century, including stunning works by Boudin, Théodore Rousseau, and the Impressionist Paul Signac.
4. Parc Emmanuel Liais
Emmanuel Liais served two terms as the mayor of Cherbourg towards the latter part of his life; before that, he engaged in various pursuits including exploration, astronomy, and botany.
During his expeditions across Brazil and the Far East, he collected specimens, many of which now flourish in this botanical garden’s 400 plant species.
The park is complimentary and conveniently located within a 10-minute walk from the Pont Tournant.
Here, visitors can discover unique plant species such as the African Encephalartos, known for its edible trunk and longevity, living up to 1,000 years.
Outdoors, enjoy the sight of rhododendrons, palm trees, and a magnificent Monterey cypress.
5. Basilique Sainte-Trinité
One of the oldest structures in Cherbourg, this 15th-century church has weathered significant historical conflicts.
The church’s precursor was destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War, while reconstruction was required after it was ransacked during the Revolution.
Following restoration in the early 19th century, it became one of France’s earliest Neo-Gothic churches.
From Place Napoleon, one can admire the church’s impressive flying buttresses and intricately carved pinnacles.
Inside, unusually crafted reliefs adorn the arcades in the nave, originally carved in the 1400s, depicting a Danse Macabre in remembrance of the plagues that once afflicted the region.
6. Musée de la Libération
Perched atop Montagne du Roule, the highest elevation in the town, this museum focuses on the liberation of Cherbourg, an event that transpired on 25 June 1944. The location, standing 117 meters above the Channel, enhances the experience: the museum is housed within a fortress constructed during Napoleon III’s rule, later fortified by the Germans who excavated tunnels in the hill.
The exhibits narrate the experiences of Cherbourg during the war, along with the pivotal events of June 1944, when this port became the first major French port liberated by the Allies.
Upon exiting the museum, visitors are treated to a breathtaking view of the historic harbor.
7. Batterie du Roule
The tunnel system excavated by the Germans beneath the fortress is accessible to the public through a guided tour organized by Cherbourg’s tourist office.
During the tour, participants will wear hard hats equipped with headlamps as they navigate a series of chambers designed to accommodate the heavy artillery stationed here to protect the harbor.
This battery was designated a French historic monument in 1995, and the fortified concrete entrances remain formidable over 70 years post-construction.
As you traverse the tunnels, it’s common to observe bats resting from the ceilings.
8. Parc du Château des Ravalet
Located on Cherbourg’s eastern outskirts, this charming Renaissance estate is set within scenic grounds.
The Château, constructed between 1562 and 1575, features an attractive blue schist material.
This residence is privately owned but opens its doors on select French heritage days throughout the year.
During other times, the gardens, recognized as a “jardin remarquable,” are accessible year-round. These gardens were shaped in 1872, embellished with winding paths, age-old trees, two ponds, a grotto, and a splendid 19th-century greenhouse.
9. Local Gardens
With the abundant greenery of the Cotentin Peninsula, one could easily spend a day exploring various show gardens.
Nearby Cherbourg is the Renaissance Château de Nacquevill, featuring an English-style garden nestled within a gentle hollow adorned with azaleas, arums, and scenic sea views.
Conversely, the Château de Vauville boasts a botanical garden containing 1,200 distinct species from the Southern Hemisphere.
This subtropical landscape, comprised of ferns, palms, and vibrant flowers, thrives in a milder microclimate, providing a striking contrast to the elegant stone architecture of the castle.
10. Beaches
Cherbourg is not particularly renowned for its beaches, as much of the adjacent coastline remains untamed and rugged.
Nonetheless, on warm days, several beautiful bays can be found nearby.
Querqueville, situated on the western side of Cherbourg’s expansive harbor, serves as the nearest family-friendly beach, featuring a long sandy shoreline with playgrounds for children, as well as a bar and restaurant.
The best beach in the region, Plage de Sciotot, does require a bit more of a journey; however, the 20-minute drive is well worth it. This Blue Flag beach offers a stunning natural setting.
Visitors can enjoy gentle, rolling surf monitored by lifeguards during the summer, complemented by an ample stretch of golden sand for relaxation and recreational activities.
11. Barfleur
Designated as one of France’s “most beautiful villages,” Barfleur is an enchanting ancient port established by the Normans over a millennium ago.
The area is characterized by picturesque granite cottages topped with slate roofs, alongside the Norman-style Church of Saint-Nicholas.
This church features a square tower, evoking the charm typically associated with English villages.
Significantly, several historical links connect Barfleur to Britain, including the fact that William the Conqueror’s ship, the Mora, was navigated by a young local resident. A plaque commemorates this historical connection by the waterfront.
Barfleur also serves as an important maritime communications center, with the nearby Gatteville Lighthouse ranking as the third tallest in the world, standing at 75 meters.
12. Cap de la Hague
Travel west to this picturesque headland located at the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula.
The area features a stunning array of lush fields marked by hedgerows atop granite cliffs.
Some of these cliffs are quite dramatic, particularly at Joburg, where they rise to 128 meters.
Aspiring geologists may be interested to learn that these Precambrian cliffs and outcrops are among the oldest in France, dating from the earliest stages of Earth’s formation.
In addition, one can explore the idyllic countryside in La Hague, dotted with quaint hamlets comprising low stone houses, providing protection from the coastal winds.
In the 19th century, Jean-François Millet often set up his easel in these charming villages.
13. War Attractions
Military history enthusiasts will find a wealth of experiences within close proximity to Cherbourg-Octeville.
Head south to Écausseville to discover the Hangar à Dirigeables, a 30-meter-high concrete structure constructed during World War I for airships tasked with spotting German submarines in the Channel.
Located nearby in Sainte-Mère-Église, the Airborne Museum recounts the experiences of American paratroopers who landed in this section of Normandy on the evening of June 5, 1944. The museum features vehicles and weaponry, including a C-47 aircraft, allowing visitors to envision the atmosphere of that historic night.
Lastly, the Dead Man’s Corner Museum, housed in a former German command post, is packed with an array of weapons, equipment, machinery, and other artifacts.
14. Cidrerie Théo Capelle
The lush countryside of Colentin, situated just south, is rich with hedgerows and orchards cultivating apples for cider and calvados apple brandy.
One such farm is merely 15 minutes away in Sotteville.
For those who appreciate French “cidre,” a visit to the Cidrerie Théo Capelle is essential.
Visitors can view a video detailing the cider production process, explore the calvados distillery, and see the cellar where cider is aged in oak barrels during an informative one-hour tour.
Furthermore, tasting sessions for cider, calvados, or pommeau (a blend of brandy and apple juice) are available. Afterwards, guests are welcome to enjoy a picnic in the gardens while getting acquainted with Jasmine and Ficelle, the farm’s donkeys.
15. Food and Drink
Cherbourg-Octeville is also known for its thriving fishing industry, which yields a diverse array of seafood including mackerel, plaice, rays, and hake, as well as a variety of crustaceans and shellfish such as crab, lobster, scallops, and mussels.
Three significant shellfish farms dot the coast, ensuring that the seafood is as fresh as possible.
The town lies within Normandy’s prestigious Camembert and Pont-l’Évêque AOC cheese-making regions, where apples, another regional specialty, flourish throughout the Cotentin Peninsula.
In addition to producing cider, calvados, and pommeau, apples are incorporated into numerous pastries, cakes, pies, and desserts such as crêpes adorned with caramelized apples.
