Things to Do in Cherbourg

The Airborne museum, located in Sainte-mere-Eqlise, is dedicated to the memory of the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions that landed in Normandy, on the night of 5th June hours before the Allied landings. The museum was first opened in 1962, with major share of collections and exhibits donated by the townspeople and veterans of 82nd and 101st airborne divisions. It currently has more than 4500 artefacts and memorabilia dating back to the WWII. This one of its kind museum in Europe features a life-sized scene depicting a stick of paratroopers of the 506th Parachute Infantry regiment of the US, enplaning at a British aerodrome in June 1944. Highlights and must sees include:

• The museum dedicated to the Landings on the night of 5th June 1944
• Special events and exhibitions at the site
• 25 minute emotional film based on the liberation of Sainte Mere Eglise by the American paratroopers
• Over 4500 artefacts

La Cite De La Mer is a maritime museum in Cherbourg city of France. Built in 1933, this marvellous museum tells the tale of Man’s adventure under the sea. The museum is located in the Cruise terminal of Cherbourg, and was reopened in 2002 as a scientific and historical museum. One of the major attractions of La Cite De La Mer, is the Titanic exhibition, dedicated to the majestic streamliner and its entire journey from its inception to destruction.The Redoutable, French Navy’s first SSBN submarine is kept here, which makes it the world’s largest submarine in the world open for public exposition. You can also listen to the Captain of the submarine talking about his life on board and sharing his experiences. The museum also has a 10 metres high and 8 metres wide, cylindrical aquarium, which displays the successive marine life forms in order of the depth at which they exist. There is a fascinating underwater expedition for the visitors, inside a digitized building. Highlights and must sees include:

• Titanic, return to Cherbourg
• The Redoutable
• Great hall for temporary exhibitions
• Abyssal Aquarium

La Maison du biscuit is one of the last traditional biscuits maker from Normandy. Continuing an age-old family tradition since 1903, the biscuit factory produces home made cookies and biscuits of highest quality. The site offers an excellent mix of French and non-French products. The shops are well decorated with a street decoration in the pre-war style to welcome you to the traditional old world charm. There is a tea and coffee room for the visitors to enjoy a relaxing break over Charlie Chaplin piano music, after a stroll through the shop. There are several shop assistants at the location who will invite you to have a taste of the freshly baked cookies from their tray, you can also get the biscuits in lovely boxes from the biscuit factory. Highlights and must sees include:

• Premium quality home made cookies and biscuits
• Tea room playing Charlie Chaplin music
• Pre-war style decorated streets

Phare De Gatteville (The Gateville lighthouse) is the second largest lighthouse in France, standing 75m high. This iconic lighthouse has as many steps as days in a year, as many windows as weeks and as many levels as months in a year. 11,000 granite blocks weighing 7,400 tons were used in the construction of this lighthouse. You have to climb 365 steps to reach the top of this incredible lighthouse and get a stunning view of the Saire valley and the sea of the Channel. It has had the privilege to be the first port between England and northern Europe, served as convenience and a practical stopover for Ships and boats out for short sails. It is said that at night on clear weather days, one can see the brilliance of the adjacent tower at the Isle of Wight, located on the other side of channel. Highlights and must sees include:

• The second largest lighthouse in France, standing 75m tall.
• Climb 365 steps to reach the top and catch a magnificent view of the Saire valley and the Channel.
• A beautiful ancient port.
• Spectacular surroundings, century old houses with flowery terraces.

One of the first buildings of the Atlantic wall in France, The Battery of Azeville is equipped with four powerful casemates equipped with 105mm Schneider guns. Spread over the Manchegan inland, The Battery is known for the battle on the night of June 5, 1944, when it came into action against the American landing at Utah beach. Battery and its undergrounds can now be visited independently with the help of an audio-guided tour (available in English,French, German, Itlalian and Dutch). Detailed explanations of the built of the bunkers, everyday lives of the 170 soldiers of the battery and the course of the battle are provided on the tour. Several camouflage paintings have been reconstructed at the site, using the photographs taken just after the war as references. The site serves as a popular picnic spot in the region.Highlights and must sees include:

• The battery equipped with 4 powerful casemates equipped with the 105mm Schneider guns.
• Audio-guided tour explaining the history of the battery and the course of the battle.
• Reconstructed camouflage paintings
• Outdoor movie projection about the history of wartime, every evening.
• A popular picnic spot, accompanied by picnic music

The Musee de la Liberation, is a mighty military museum which stands proudly on the Roule mountain, over Cherbourg. Over 117 meters above the sea level, this museum is dedicated to France’s second national order ‘Ordre de la Liberation’. It also depicts the role played by Cherbourg in WWII, as it was the first post freed from occupation and thus holds a significant historic importance. The Museum contains three galleries and six rooms documenting the history of free French forces, concentration camps, and resistance activities. The hall of honor is dedicated to General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French forces. The exhibits consists of over 4000 objects including uniforms, weapons, transmitters, press and leaflets, the first French naval flags and flags taken behind the enemy lines of Africa and Europe. The educational and theatrical itinerary ends with a stunning panoramic view of Cherbour harbor. Highlights and must sees include:

• De Gaulle’s Manuscripts
• Weapons and objects
• Hall of honour

Chateau Des Ravaletis a Renaissance castle constructed in 1562 in department Manche in Normandy. The magnificent castle has been renovated over the years, and now, it is one of the most visited locations of Cherbourg. The Renaissance Park has also witnessed restoration and redesigning, specially the greenhouses which have many exotic plants and trees, was redesigned during 1872-1875. Surrounding the stunning Chateau are the beautiful gardens and tranquil grounds with ponds, which make for a delightful walk around and indulge in the natural beauty. The entire park, castle and greenhouses are classified as historical monuments in 1996. The park was also labelled Remarkable Garden since 2004 and EcoJardin in 2012.Highlights and must sees include:

• French Garden
• Prairie island
• Greenhouses
• Garden Mandala

Parc Emmanuel Liais,is a remarkable garden in Cherbourg, France. One of the most secluded and exotic parks of the city, is famous for its surprising and exotic botanical heritage. You get to walk through a tropical rain forest, cross a desert cactus to reach a temperate tropical greenhouse, Highlights and must sees include:

• Museum Emmanuel Liais a cabinet of curiosities with amazing specimens of animals and objects collected from South America by Emmanuel-Liais
• Leon – the seal
• Greenhouses
• The folly tower
• Venerable Cypress Lambert

Ferme-Musee Du Cotentin of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, preserves the rural and agriculture heritage of the region and works to enhance the living heritage, plants and animals. The site is located close to the landing beaches; you can walk through the farm park and its local breed animals from Island cows and Jerseys to Norman rabbits and Cotentin hens. A visit to the goat farms, the farm museums and orchards will show you the techniques of daily operations of a farm and you can taste the fresh local produce at the site. You can enjoy the virtual tour of the Norman farms during the German occupation in 1940-1944.Highlights and must sees include:

• The traditional and agricultural heritage of Cotentin bay
• Livestock of the region
• Vegetable and backup orchards
• Horse drawn machines that revolutionized the hay core
• The farm museums
• Point canal – a unique architectural work in France

Jardinbotanique du chateau de Vauville (Botanical garden castle Vauville) is a private botanical garden located on the grounds of the chateau de vauville near Beaumon-Hague. Created in 1947 by Eric and Nicole pellerin, the botanical garden of Vauville is home to over 500 species of the southern hemisphere, which gives a subtropical atmosphere around the castle. Consisting of trees and shrubs, evergreen foliage, using natural landforms, it forms a permanent garden throughout the seasons. Despite being located on a windy site, the Botanical garden of Vauville consists of many species from around the world in excellent state, protected by the most robust plants, associated mass to form windbreaks around the garden. The Gulf Stream that flows through the entire northwest coast of La Hague keeps the climate mild throughout the year and allows acclimatization of exotic plants. Highlights and must sees include:

• Over 500 species of exotic aquatic plants
• Subtropical atmosphere
• Associated mass plantation to form windbreaks
• The Gulf stream flowing besides the gardens

The Basilique Sainte-Trinite (Basilica Holy Trinity) is a religious gothic building located in Cherbourg and is one of the oldest monuments of the city. It is a well-maintained place of worship that deserves a visit from the admirers of art and architectural techniques. It is a place that mixes architectural beauty with décor and original etchings. The interior has rich religious furnishing, including a high altar of 1809, and an altarpiece of Armand Freret(1814). It also has fascinating panels depicting major scenes from the life of Christ along with other carved wooden artefacts and stunning paintings like ‘The Holy women at the tomb of Christ’. Located very close to the city center, this basilica is a perfect escape from a piercing windy autumn day, to spend some time admiring the gothic and religious art and architecture here.Highlights and must sees include:

• High altar of 1809 and Altarpiece of Armand Freret.
• Carved wooden pulpit of Pierre Freret.
• Great organ of Cavaille-Coll.

Le Pere Mahieu is a picturesque apple orchid and cider farm in the heart of Normandy, on the way from Cherbourg to Barnville. You’ll find some of the finest apples and cider and almost all the other products that we can possibly get from apples. The place also provides ample opportunity to taste a good range of pure juice, fortified pommeau, unpasteurised Cider and Calvados. Visitors are offered a free tour of the farm, which explains their trade and the complete fabrication process involved in making the various products from start to end. The visitors are offered free samples at the end of this interesting and informative tour. Though not a very big producer, but the quality of products offered here is fabulous. The production also has witnessed a constant increase in both quality and quantity. Highlights and must sees include:

• Orchids of Vaubol
• Fermentation cellar

Musee Regional du cidre (The regional cider museum) was built in 1480 in the house known as the Grand area. The museum aims to preserve and exhibit a set of tools and objects that represents the cider production at the site. You can witness the entire process starting from harvest to the consumption of the beverage at final stage. The monument was used as barracks from 1733 to the late 19th century, and tells the tale of almost 5 centuries through its cider mills, presses, pottery and equipment. A video illustrates the importance of the traditional cider in Normandy gold blond Normans. There is a rare and precious series of old posters related to the promotion and marketing of the cider produced at the site.Highlights and must sees include:

• History of the site spanning over 5 centuries
• Traditional cider production tools and equipments
• Richest collection devoted to French ‘Gold blond Normans’
• Croque la Pomme – carved into a sculpted cider barrel and erotic motifs, evoking original sin.

Jardins En Hommage A Jacques Prévert (Gardens in tribute to Jacques Prévert) was created to pay homage to the poet in 2004. The garden is a tribute to his wife and his friends who planted their trees there. In 1971 Jacques Prévert and his wife bought the house at Omonville near the cemetery where they rest and their only daughter died accidently. Jacques Prévert used to love this place, and throughout the gardens you’ll find his poems to read, along with the ruins of eighteenth century and some modern sculptures. The site offers a peaceful environment with trees and flowers planted on either side of the stream. The serene breeze flowing over the waterfalls makes a walk through the shadow of gunneras truly refreshing and reviving. Highlights and must sees include:

• Trees and flowers planted by Jacques Prévert, his wife and friends.
• Poems written at various locations in the garden.
• Ruins of the 18th century and modern sculptures.
• A refreshing walk in the shadow of gunneras.

The museum of Eau-de-vie and ancient crafts, houses a spectacular collection of old tools, old machines and valued instruments. The copper stills and hot water bottles present at the site reveal all the secrets of the distillation of Calvados. Here you can discover how the cider and calvados were made between the 16th and 20th centuries. Located at the heart of Valognes, in a former grand hotel of the 18th century, here you’ll find many traditional costumes, a nice set of lace and embroidery, excellent leather work, antique clocks and watches, toys and utensils. The distillery has been given a special dimension, with a beautiful set of stills and a careful presentation of the manufacture process of brandy added on different levels of the building. Highlights and must sees include:

• Craftsmen’s workshops and tools
• Former trades museum
• Traditional costumes, lace and embroidery, and premium leather and metal work
• Antique clocks, watches, toys and utensils
• Traditional distillery that produces fruit brandy, cider and calvados