The Great Hall with famous bathyscaphes in the maritime museum La Cite de La Mer in Cherbourg, France.

© kateafter/Shutterstock

Cité de la Mer

Top choice in Normandy


Cherbourg’s art-deco Gare Maritime Transatlantique (Transatlantic Ferry Terminal), built from 1928 to 1933, was designed so travellers could walk from their train directly to their ocean liner. These days it is still used by cruise ships such as the Queen Mary 2, but most of the complex houses a fine aquarium featuring Europe’s deepest fish tank. The complex is situated 1km northeast of the tourist office.

Other highlights here include Le Redoubtable, a French nuclear submarine you can go inside (audioguide available), an exhibit on the Titanic (Cherbourg was the ill-fated liner’s last port-of-call), and oodles of exhibits on sea exploration that kids will love. Ticket sales end 1½ hours before closing time.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Normandy attractions

1. Mannez Lighthouse

25.18 MILES

This black-and-white lighthouse has been standing sentinel over Alderney's east coast since 1912. During the warmer months, you can join a Sunday tour,…

2. Odeon

25.31 MILES

On a hill overlooking the Mannez Quarry, and looking a bit like a giant toaster on its side, the Odeon is a German naval range-finding tower with 360…

3. Longis Bay

25.45 MILES

The only beach on the south coast, Longis used to be Alderney's main harbour some 300 years back. Between June and September, Alderney Wildlife Trust has…

4. Musée du Débarquement de Utah Beach

25.52 MILES

This impressive museum is a few kilometres inland from the US landings at Utah Beach. Guided tours of the museum and of the landing site can be arranged…

5. Corblets Bay

25.58 MILES

This sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay wears two hats: on most days, its tranquil waters and white sand attract sun worshippers and swimmers, but some days,…

6. Hammond Memorial

25.7 MILES

With five main plaques in Russian, Hebrew, Polish, French and Spanish, this sombre memorial commemorates the slaves and forced labourers, brought to…

7. Saye Bay

25.85 MILES

This long, dune-backed beach is ideal for rockpooling, swimming and sunbathing.

8. Bibette Head

26.08 MILES

Gaping bunkers, personnel shelters and armoured cupola for machine guns that made up the German Strongpoint Biberkopf sit at the end of the Bibette Head…