Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Cherbourg is a port town at the north end of the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, France.

Cherbourg is located near the D-Day beaches where Allied forces landed in 1944 during World War II. The town was liberated by American troops shortly after that.

Understand
The municipality was established in 2016 by merger of the former communes of Cherbourg-Octeville, Équeurdreville-Hainneville, La Glacerie, Querqueville and Tourlaville.

By ferry
Cherbourg can be reached by ferry from Poole and Portsmouth in the UK. Crossing times are 4½ hours from Poole and 3 hours from Portsmouth with Brittany Ferries. It is also possible to reach Cherbourg from Rosslare in Ireland with Irish Ferries, crossing time is around 19-20 hours depending on season. If you're on foot, the ferry terminal is close to the centre of town but you have to take a long roundabout route if you try to walk. There is a free shuttle leaving shortly after the ferries arrive, which takes you to La Cite de la Mer - which is still a 5-10 minute walk to the old town. You can also get taxis from the terminal - ask the staff to call one if necessary.

By car
Cherbourg is easily accessible from Normandy and the rest of France and is around 6 hr from Paris and around 11 hr from Bordeaux. There is not much traffic except during rush hours. There is limited parking close to the old town (e.g., at the station) and you may have to pay for it during the day.

By train


Cherbourg can be reached from Paris St Lazare on a direct train, otherwise, there are services to Brittany and to (sometimes) the southwest of France. Be careful: few trains, mainly delayed.

Get around
A decent enough network of buses runs round the town, but everything can be reached by foot

See




Eat


There are numerous other restaurants in the streets and squares of the old town and along the quay.

Budget

 * There is a campsite to the east of the town and is signposted from the Ferry Terminal.

Consulates

 * 🇬🇷 Greece

Go next
Phare de Gatteville (a lighthouse) is at the north-east point of the Cotentin, about 20 minutes drive from Cherbourg. It is a lovely, peaceful spot, surrounded by fields and villages. For a few euro, you can climb the 349 steps for some incredible views.