Europe France France Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Itineraries Getaways All France Overview of Cherbourg a Coastal Normandy Town in France Written by Linda Garrison Linda Paull Garrison is a travel writer who has taken over 150 cruises and spent over 1,100 days at sea. Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines Linda Garrison Updated 06/21/19 Share Pin Email  Walter Bibikow / Getty Images Cherbourg sits on the tip of the Cotentin Peninsula in the Normandy Region of France. Most cruise ships dock in Le Havre for passengers to visit either the Normandy beaches or Paris. However, Cherbourg is sometimes a substitute port of call. Cruise ship passengers with a day in Cherbourg can visit the Normandy beaches, the Saire Valley, Cap de la Hague at the tip of the Cotentin peninsula, or Mont Saint Michel. Many passengers choose to either walk into town (about 15 minutes) or take a shuttle bus. Cherbourg is a town of about 80,000 residents and is best known for its aquarium, parks, and museums. Many tourists reach Cherbourg via a ferry across the English Channel or La Manche in French. For cruise ship passengers with a day in Cherbourg, it's a pleasant French town to explore for a few hours. 01 of 08 Downtown Cherbourg Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Like many small European towns, Cherbourg has a nice pedestrian walking and shopping area in the old part of downtown. It's fun to just stroll the narrow streets, peer in the shop windows, and take time to enjoy a coffee or a beer. Continue to 2 of 8 below. 02 of 08 Cherbourg Theatre Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy The Cherbourg Theatre was built in 1882 in an Italian design and was decorated by the same artists who did the Paris Opera House. Continue to 3 of 8 below. 03 of 08 Quiet Pedestrian Streets Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Those who like to escape the crowds can find a quiet street in Cherbourg without much effort, even on a busy summer day. Continue to 4 of 8 below. 04 of 08 Shopping Street Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy This street is one of the commercial shopping areas of the Cherbourg pedestrian zone. The small shops can't compare with the couture or boutique shops in Paris, but provide an excellent look at life in a small French town. Continue to 5 of 8 below. 05 of 08 Street Along the Yacht Basin Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Enjoy a walk on the main street that runs along the yacht basin. The walk from the cruise ship terminal to the yacht basin only takes about 15 minutes. Continue to 6 of 8 below. 06 of 08 La Cite de la Mer Maritime Museum Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Fans of cruise ship history might want to take time to visit the La Cite de la Mer, which is a maritime museum near the Cherbourg harbor. This museum includes exhibits on the Titanic since it was a port of call for the cruise ship's first (and last) voyage. You will also find a gallery dedicated to men and their machines, an exhibition on the depths of the sea, and a retired French submarine named Le Redoutable. Continue to 7 of 8 below. 07 of 08 Fort du Roule Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Fort du Roule sits on a hill overlooking Cherbourg. A World War II museum is housed in the old fort. This fort was one of the most important during the war since its purpose was to protect the artificial harbor at Cherbourg. Visitors wear caving hats with lamps to go inside the bunkers to see where the guns and munitions were located. Continue to 8 of 8 below. 08 of 08 Carriage Rides on the Pier Linda Garrison / Trip Savvy Passengers arriving on cruise ships are treated to free carriage rides around the Cherbourg cruise ship pier. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit