The town and port of Cherbourg (50 Manche, Normandie) sits at the top of the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy and is an important cross-channel ferry port with crossings from Poole and Portsmouth and Rosslare in Ireland with Brittany Ferries
The town was seriously damaged in the Second World War, being strategically important to both sides. It has a rich maritime history – including as one of the first places that the Titanic visited on its fateful journey. There is a Titanic exhibition in the famous Citè de la Mer (‘City of the Sea’), which is also home to the La Redoubtable, the world’s largest submarine open to visitors, and the Musée de la Libération (‘Liberation Museum’) inside the 19th century Fort du Roule that crowns the summit of the Montagne du Roule.
The coast around Cherbourg feature dramatic cliffs and between sandy beaches along the Cotentin Peninsula, producing a magnificent coastline. The Cap de la Hague, in particular, offers spectacular rugged cliffs and a rustic moorland landscape.
Cherbourg has lots of good restaurants and is a great place to try some of the tastes of Normandy, a region famous for its apples, cider, mussels and rich butters and cheeses. A visit into the heart of the Old Town will take you to the fresh fish market at Le Vieille Ville, or you can wander through the grand markets of the Place de Gaulle, for fresh produce, delicatessens and flower stalls.
Cherbourg Carnaval
an important and long-established Carnaval with a festive traditional theme 17-21 April 2024 -see https://carnaval-cherbourg.fr/
There are plenty of options for accommodation in Cherbourg including B&Bs, self-catering and hotels such as The Marine Hotel situated right on the waterfront overlooking the marina, yet close to the town centre.