Cherbourg Things to Do

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Close to the (military) marine parts of the harbour of Cherbourg, one can visit the ruins of the old abbey of Notre Dame de Voeu. This ancient abbey found it's origin in the 12th century and didn't have a history of peace. Already in the early centuries of it's excistance, it was several times raided by the English. This was especially easy, as the abbey was situated outside the city walls of Cherbourg and couldn't be defended. Time and time again it had to be restored after being turned into a ruin. After the French revolution, the abbey was turned into military barracks and in the second world war the same happened by the Nazi troops. This resulted in a complete destruction of the abbey in the battle for Cherbourg, after which the ruins were left aside in the renovation of the town. Only in the recent decades one has decided to try and keep as much as possible intact. Even today the ruins radiate a former grandeur, with it's gothic windows as highlight.

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The most wonderful church in this maritime town is the Saint-Trinity, which is situated at the main harbour in the centre of town. The church is built in a fine gothic style, but has some romanesk parts from it's original predecessor. Inside the organ and several beautiful statues are the main attractions to this basilica church. With the maritime history and traditions of Cherbourg, one can imagine that this is truely a sailors sanctuary. Many marine men as well as sailing visitors temperarily in Cherbourg, devote themselves here on Sunday to a prayer for good weather at sea.

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In the inner docks of the Cherbourg harbour one can visit one of France's most famous (and most impressive) sailing ships. It is the "Belem", which has a home port the harbour of Cherbourg. This three mast bark sailed the seven oceans and is a pure beauty. In the outer harbour, near the Saint-Trinity church, another museumship also attracts the view with it's colourful flags.

Want to do something you cannot do anywhere else in the world? Next to the museum Cité de la Mer and actually a part of this museum, lies in a dock, the first French nuclear submarine "Redoutable" is open for visitors. This is a unique fact, as nowhere else in the world you can visit a nuclear submarine. Submarines, and especially the nuclear modern classes, are true doomsday machines. Sneaking underwater til close to the enemies coast, they can launch rockets with nuclear bombs onto enemy targets in a matter of minutes. The enemies respons time is decimated, securing a homefront attack. To witness these terrible warcrafts up close is incredibly impressive (and for me emotional as well, as it shows yet again how stupid mankind actually is).

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All aboard? Well no, we didn't have the pleasure of coming here by boat, nor hopped on a rental. And one doesn;t have to go on board to enjoy the wonderful yaughts, sailing boats and other ships that are in the many many harbours in the port of Cherbourg. Over twenty kilometers, the town suprised me in the amount of larger and smaller bassins for boats. In the center one can't miss the central docks and harbour piers. Thousands of ships lay here and they variete from small private yaughts to beautiful three mast barks. Do you want to go out to sea? There are possibilities in booking fishing trips on the English Channel. Highlight in Cherbourg is the museum ship "Belem" (see seperate Tip).

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Cité de la Mer (City of the sea) is a really great museum for young and old. We all know of the great past of Marine exploration that France holds (think of Jacques Cousteau and you know enough). This museum tells about the submerged secrets of the seas and oceans, the colourful marine life and the history of sea exploration. Cité de la Mer is also very interesting for children, that get explicit attention throughout the various sections in the museum. The museum is situated in the magnificent building of what used to be the Transatlantic "Station"

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Cherbourg used to have several small harbours along it's coastline, however, the architects of Napoleon saw possibilities to create a huge bassin. Large enough to house now-a-days a whole fleet of cruiseships or then a full armada of warships. On the seabed a half circle of submerged rocks, made it possible to make artificial islands with in between stone harbour walls. Few gateways secured a deep and safe entrance into the bassin, where ships could anchor safely from large waves, storm winds or enemy ships. In Cherbourg itself the enormousness of the harbour can be best seen from the olf fortress terraces, but from view points near Anse-du-Brick (Maupertus) in the East and the old church of Querqueville in the West, the seize of the harbour also can be witnessed.

La Basilique de la Ste. Trinite

Dating from the 11th Century the church is situated between the centre of the old town and the sea.
Construction took place between the 11th and 19th century which may explain the contrasting styles and materials that can be seen in the design and fabric of the building. The overall effect for me was of a rather dead but flamboyant gothic style.

It does however possess a rare 15th century Font, some fine alabaster relief work, a famous organ and some stained glass by the 20th Century artist Jean Gaudin.

So do not be put off by its gloomy exterior - it is well worth taking a look inside.