Cherbourg-en-Cotentin Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Locality

Facts and practical information

Nestled on the northern coast of France, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is a captivating destination that offers a blend of picturesque landscapes, rich history, and a vibrant maritime culture. Located in the Normandy region, this charming commune is a perfect getaway for travelers seeking a unique experience.

One of the highlights of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is its stunning coastline. With its rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters, it is a paradise for nature lovers. Take a leisurely stroll along the Promenade de la Saline and enjoy the breathtaking views of the English Channel. For a more adventurous experience, head to the nearby Cap de la Hague and explore the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves that dot the coastline.

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is also steeped in history, with its roots dating back to the Roman era. History buffs will be enthralled by the Cité de la Mer, a maritime museum housed in a former transatlantic liner. Discover the fascinating world of underwater exploration and learn about the Titanic and its connection to Cherbourg. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the decommissioned nuclear submarine, Le Redoutable, and get a glimpse into the life of a submariner.

For a taste of the local culture, visit the bustling Cherbourg Market. Located in the heart of the town, this vibrant market offers a wide array of fresh produce, regional specialties, and local crafts. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere as you mingle with the locals and sample delicious treats like the famous Normandy cider and artisanal cheeses.

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin also boasts a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries and theaters showcasing local talent. Visit the Musée Thomas Henry to admire its impressive collection of paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, including works by renowned artists such as Monet and Renoir. Catch a show at the Théâtre à l'Italienne, a beautifully restored 19th-century theater that hosts a variety of performances throughout the year.

Alternative names: Population: 79.2 thous.Area: 26.46 mi²Elevation: 30 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 49°38'25"N, 1°37'23"W

Location

NormandyFrance

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Cherbourg-en-Cotentin Top Attractions

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin Attractions - What to See and Explore

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Cité de la Mer, Musée Thomas-Henry, Le Trident, Cherbourg Harbour. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • Theme park • Aquarium
Cité de la Mer
The Cité de la Mer is a maritime museum in Cherbourg, France. The museum is in the cruise terminal of Cherbourg. This monument was built in 1933; it is one of the bigger art-deco monuments of today.
Museum • Art museum
Musée Thomas-Henry
The Musée des beaux-arts Thomas Henry is a museum at Cherbourg-en-Cotentin with around 300 artworks, mainly paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries. It has been rated as the third most important collection in Normandy.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Le Trident
Le Trident is a group of three theatres in the city of Cherbourg-Octeville, within the Manche department of Normandy, in northern France. The theatres were made a 'scène nationale' on 14 October 2002, after the merger of the Théâtre de Cherbourg-Scène Nationale and the Théâtre de la Butte-CCPO.

Harbor
Cherbourg Harbour
Cherbourg Harbour, is a harbour situated at the northern end of the Cotentin Peninsula, on the English Channel coastline, in Normandy, northwestern France. With a surface area of 1,500 hectares, it is the second largest artificial harbour in the world, after the 4,500 hectare Ras Laffan Harbour in Qatar.
Area
Équeurdreville-Hainneville
Équeurdreville-Hainneville is a former commune in the Manche department in Normandy in north-western France. On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Its population was 16,313 in 2019.
Museum
Le Redoutable
Le Redoutable was the lead boat of her class of ballistic missile submarines in the French Marine Nationale. Commissioned on 1 December 1971, the boat was the first French SNLE.
Church
Basilique Sainte-Trinité
The Basilica Sainte-Trinité of Cherbourg is a Gothic basilica that stands on the delegated commune of Cherbourg-Octeville within the new commune of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in the department of Manche, in the region of Normandy.
Botanical garden
Jardin botanique de la Roche Fauconnière
The Jardin botanique de la Roche Fauconnière is a private botanical garden located in the Parc de la Fauconnière, Cherbourg-Octeville, Manche, Normandy, France. The garden was created in 1870 or 1873 by Alfred Favier and maintained by subsequent family members Léon Favier and Dr. Charles Favier.
49°37'60"N • 1°36'59"W
Le Point du jour
Museum
49°38'24"N • 1°37'48"W
Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin
Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin is the communauté d'agglomération, an intercommunal structure, centred on the city of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, on the Cotentin Peninsula. It is located in the Manche department, in the Normandy region, northwestern France.
Memorial
monument à Armand de Briqueville
Armand François Bon Claude, comte de Bricqueville, born at the family castle in Bretteville on January 23, 1785, died on March 19, 1844 in Paris, was a cavalry colonel in Napoleon's army and deputy of the Manche.
49°39'9"N • 1°38'3"W
Cherbourg Naval Base
Cherbourg Naval Base is a naval base in Cherbourg Harbour, Cherbourg, Manche department, Normandy. The town has been a base of the French Navy since the opening of the military port in 1813.
Memorial
War Memorial
Monuments aux Morts are French war memorials established to commemorate the losses of World War I.
Church
St. Martin's Church
The church of Saint-Martin is a Romanesque Catholic church of the twelfth century, which stands on the delegated commune of Cherbourg-Octeville within the new commune of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, in the department of Manche, in the Normandy region.
Universities and schools
Cherbourg School of Engineering
The Engineering School of the University of Caen Normandy is a French engineering university funded in 1993. It is situated in Normandy in two cities: Caen and Cherbourg. The school is accredited by the "Commission des titres d'ingénieur" to deliver Engineering Degrees.
49°37'33"N • 1°37'42"W
Maison pour Tous Léo Lagrange
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Day trips

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (Colleville-sur-Mer), Airborne Museum (Sainte-Mère-Église), La Cambe German war cemetery (La Cambe).

39 milesSE
Cemetery, Memorial site
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a profoundly moving tribute to the brave American soldiers who lost their lives during World War II's D-Day landings and subsequent operations. Located in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, it overlooks Omaha Beach, one of the...
21 milesSE
Specialty museum, History museum, Museum
Airborne Museum, Sainte-Mère-Église
The Airborne Museum, nestled in the historic town of Sainte-Mère-Église, France, stands as a poignant tribute to the American paratroopers who played a crucial role in the success of the D-Day landings during World War II.
34 milesSE
Cemetery
La Cambe German war cemetery, La Cambe
The La Cambe German war cemetery, a somber memorial and final resting place for thousands of German soldiers from World War II, is located in the small village of La Cambe in Normandy, France. This military cemetery is a poignant reminder of the cost of war, and it...
18 milesSE
Museum, View point
Crisbecq Battery
Nestled in the heart of Normandy, France, the Crisbecq Battery stands as a stark reminder of the region's turbulent past and its role in one of history's most pivotal events: the D-Day landings of World War II. Now transformed into a museum, this former German...
33 milesS
Forts and castles, Historical place, History museum
Château de Pirou, Pirou
The Château de Pirou is a castle in the commune of Pirou, in the département of Manche, France. The castle was initially built of wood, then of stone in the 12th century and belonged to the lords of Pirou.