Cherbourg Off The Beaten Path

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Although not many European countries are as enthusiastic about this conquering Frenchman, the French are crazy about their little general: Napoleon Bonaparte. Especially the people from Cherbourg honour him, as he was responsible for the start in building the largest deep water harbour in the world, thus making Cherbourg much more important in strategic point of view, but above all in business and trade, as well as in tourism. Napoleon Bonaparte got a large statue, traditionaly sitting on a horse, across the street near the Saint Trinity church, looking over the town and the harbour of Cherbourg.

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Cherbourg saw a fierce battle around and in town, when the Americans rushed in to conquer the harbour. It's importance became huge after the Mulberry port in the America sector got destroyed in an heavy storm, during the months after D-day and Cherbourg had the possibilities to secure a steady supply route for the advancing allied forces. Therefor many monuments are related to the battle of Cherbourg, but in this the Liberation museum takes the most important spot. It's on top of the fortress hill.
Other monuments that I saw in Cherbourg were the general commemorating monument for all that fell during the Great and second Worldwar and the modest monument at the piers in the harbour, for the fishermen that were lost at sea while busy with their profession.

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West of Cherbourg are the small suburban villages of Querqueville and Nacqueville. From the hills of Querqueville, one enjoys a spectacular view over the complete rabour bassin of Cherbourg (the largest deel water harbour in the world). A small church dominates the top of this hill and the view is from the terraces surrounding the burrial grounds around this church. In Nacqueville a beautiful castle can be visited. Around this magnificent building is a beautiful park with botanical gardens.

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Just half an hour drive from Cherbourg in Western direction, in the wide hills near the small village of Tonneville, you can find the planetarium Ludiver. The area of Cotentin peninsula with it's proximity to the sea, is relatively dark and therefore a planetarium here finds a good location. Around the real planetarium, an interesting museum about the planets and the stars is set. The greatest thing is a visit to the magical multimedia surround show during which the stars are projected in a dome shaped building, simulating the running of stars, planets and the constellations.

In Tourlaville, 5km southeast of Cherbourg, a chateau with an elegant facade and attractive grounds (open all year) was the setting for a 16th century sex scandal, when Julien and Marguerite Ravalet, children of the owners, ran off together and lived as lovers until they were convicted of incest and executed in 1603.

La Pernelle: on the edge of this village is an amazing viewpoint. Stand on the hill and enjoy the panorama; put a coin in the slot for commentary; look at one of France's smallest town halls; and walk down the path to the replica of the Lourdes grotto. Then look at those views some more. Enjoy them even longer over a drink or meal at the Panoramique restaurant.

If you are in Cherbourg with your car and have some time, then drive West along the top of the peninsula to Cap de la Hague - a quaint little fishing port with an enormous lighthouse and a delightful restaurant down by the water's edge.