EXPERIENCE

24 HOURS IN CHERBOURG

A view of the Cherbourg harbour

24 hours in Cherbourg

Only have a limited amount of time to spend in and around Cherbourg? Or are you considering booking a day trip to France from the UK? Here are our top things that you shouldn't miss while in the area.

Cherbourg is famous for its maritime and naval heritage and its spectacular coastline such as the beautiful Cap de la Hague. The city also had its part to play during the Battle of Normandy, when a month-long campaign was launched to free the port from the Germans.

Nearby Carentan has some wonderful marshlands to discover all sorts of wildlife. It too, played its part during the Battle of Normandy and has several interesting WW2 sites and museums to visit.

Cherbourg and the surrounding area is perfect for discovering some of the beauty and heritage of this seafaring area and learning about some of the lesser-known but important D-Day sites.

Here's an example itinerary of what you could do with your day in Cherbourg...

What can I do in a day in Cherbourg?

08:30 Arrive in Cherbourg and head for a peaceful seaside walk along the quays where you're sure to find a café for breakfast.

09:00 Visit the Liberation museum at the 19th century fort. Occupied by the Germans during WW2, the liberation of the fort and the town of Cherbourg were pivotal in the success of the Battle of Normandy and the museum tells this fascinating story.

11:00 Drive 10 minutes east out of the heart of town to the Château des Ravalets. Take a walk around its lovely park and gardens and, in summer, the chateau is open to take a look inside. As you drive back into town, stop off at a supermarket on the way to stock up on some French goodies.

13:00 You'll find plenty of excellent restaurants in the district to the west of the marina to enjoy a delicious lunch.

14:00 Make sure you have a good few hours to discover Cherbourg's biggest attraction: Cité de la Mer. Housed inside the former terminal for transatlantic liners, this is an attraction in love with everything about the sea. The deepest aquarium in Europe, a gallery of nautical machines and an exhibition about the Titanic are all waiting for you inside and outside is La Redoubtable, the biggest submarine open to the public in the world. Just present your Brittany Ferries 澳洲幸运10十168体彩开奖网 ticket on arrival and you will benefit from a reduction on the entrance fee (Home - La Cité de la Mer).

17:00 Les Eleis shopping mall, on the quayside, is perfect for a spot of retail therapy with a host of big name brands all under one roof. Drop in to Normandie Wine, opposite the shopping mall, to pick up some extra wine and beer if you didn't get enough on your earlier shopping trip!

19:00 Spotted some other restaurants you liked earlier on at lunchtime? Head there now for an elegant evening meal. Seafood is, of course, a speciality in this coastal town.

20:30 Enjoy a drink or two before you get back on board in Cherbourg's wine and beer bars

Getting there

With year-round daily sailings from Poole to Cherbourg, up to twice a day, and seasonal fast-craft sailings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Cherbourg is an ideal day trip destination.