When visiting France by ferry , the temptation is often to get as far away from your disembarkation point as possible. After all, the country offers so many incredible experiences from the romance of Paris, to hiking in the Pyrenees or sunning yourself along the Côte D’Azure – and that’s before we’ve even mentioned the wine-making regions! However, skipping past the coastal city of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin would be a mistake, as the city and surrounding areas have plenty to offer visitors, whether you’re interested in history, culture or beautiful scenery. For the history buffs, this part of France was obviously pivotal during WW2’s D-day landings, which saw the tide turn in favour of the allies.
You can take a deep dive into the area’s maritime past at La Cité de la Mer, a museum dedicated to humanity’s adventures under the sea. In addition to an incredible aquarium, visitors can tour nuclear submarine The Redoubtable and explore iconic devices used for deep-sea diving. If this inspires you to spend a little time in the sea, there are numerous opportunities for water-based activities, from surfing and fishing to diving and kayaking.
There are so many different outdoor activities available around Cherbourg, including hiking, horseriding and even skydiving, that your biggest issue will be deciding what to do first! For those more interested in the cultural side of France, there is plenty to see and do in Cherbourg. The Musée Thomas Henry is one of Normandy�.
