Hôtel A Pic The Originals City

The largest artificial harbor in Europe was built in the 18th century. Imagine the titanic effort required to construct, at that time, a series of breakwaters offshore for nearly 4 km! Originally created for defensive purposes, the harbor is still surrounded today by numerous forts. The highest among them, Fort du Roule, offers a breathtaking view of the city and the harbor, which hosts four major ports: commercial, military, recreational, and fishing.

One of the most beautiful maritime museums in France has taken up residence in... a train station. More precisely, the former transatlantic train station of Cherbourg. Out with trains, in with exploration vehicles, discovering the wealth and secrets of the seabed, with 17 aquariums – including the Abyssal Aquarium over 10 meters deep – not to mention the iconic Redoutable, the first nuclear submarine whose metal innards can be visited.

In Old French, "boëls" means "alleys" or "narrow streets." It has nothing to do with any charcuterie reference. Here, "boëls" refers to the narrowness of the few streets in medieval Cherbourg that escaped the bombings of World War II. Secretive and unknown, these alleys are worth a visit if only to admire the facades made of blue schist, typical of the Cotentin region.

Despite what film enthusiasts may think, the famous umbrellas of Cherbourg are not just a feature of the big screen, they actually exist! A visit to the Umbrellas of Cherbourg factory is a must. It's an opportunity to discover all the stages of the production of this luxury item that has made the city famous both in France and internationally.