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EuropeFranceNormandy

Cherbourg

Normandy, France · Europe

About Cherbourg

Cherbourg is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Tourlaville, 25km from Cap de la Hague.

Cherbourg is a town located in Normandy, France. With a population of 26,655, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Cherbourg sits in France, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Paris time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Cherbourg to your route.

About Cherbourg

Cherbourg is a former commune and subprefecture located at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French department of Manche. It was merged into the commune of Cherbourg-Octeville on 28 February 2000, which was merged into the new commune of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin on 1 January 2016. Cherbourg

Read more is protected by Cherbourg Harbour, between La Hague and Val de Saire, and the city has been a strategic position over the centuries, disputed between the English and French. Cited as one of the "keys to the kingdom" by Vauban, it became, by colossal maritime development work, a first-rate military port under the leadership of Napoleon I, and holds an arsenal of the French Navy. A stopping point for prestigious transatlantic liners in the first half of the 20th century, Cherbourg was the primary goal of US troops during the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Along with its use as a military, fishing and yachting port, it is also a cross-Channel ferry port, with routes to the English ports of Poole and Portsmouth, and to Dublin and Rosslare Harbour in Ireland. Limited by its geographical isolation from being a great commercial port, it is nonetheless an important shipbuilding centre, and a working-class city with a rural hinterland.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Cherbourg

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Cherbourg?

Cherbourg offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Cherbourg?

Plan your road trip to Cherbourg with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Cherbourg as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Cherbourg located?

Cherbourg is located in Normandy, France, Europe. The coordinates are 49.6398 latitude, -1.6164 longitude.

What is the population of Cherbourg?

Cherbourg has a population of approximately 26,655 people, making it a town in France.

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Quick Information

Population
26,655
Continent
Europe
Country
France
Region
Normandy
Timezone
Europe/Paris
Coordinates
49.6398, -1.6164

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in France

Police
17
Ambulance
15
Fire
18
All emergencies
112
Driving side
right

Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.

Full driving guide for France

Tags

EuropeFranceNormandyTown

Worth the detour from Cherbourg

3 notable places within an hour's drive.

scenic viewpoint

Cap de la Hague

Wild granite cape at Normandy's northwest tip with a lonely lighthouse and crashing Atlantic seas.

25 km · about 30 min drive

landmark

Barfleur

One of France's 'most beautiful villages', a granite fishing port on the Cotentin's rugged eastern shore.

26 km · about 30 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Pointe du Hoc

Cratered clifftop where US Rangers scaled sheer rock under fire on D-Day, bunkers still scarring the landscape.

53 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Cherbourg

  • 25 kmCap de la HagueWild granite cape at Normandy's northwest tip with a lonely lighthouse and crashing Atlantic seas.
  • 53 kmPointe du HocCratered clifftop where US Rangers scaled sheer rock under fire on D-Day, bunkers still scarring the landscape.
  • 79 kmD-Day Beaches Coastal Road (D514)The coast road threading the five 1944 landing beaches from Utah to Sword, past Arromanches' Mulberry harbour remains, gun batteries and memorials: Normandy's essential remembrance drive.

Driving in France

Drives on
the right
Petrol
~€1.85/litre
Motorway tolls
~€10.00/100km

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Cherbourg.

Octeville

🇫🇷 France

2 km awayPop. 16,951

Équeurdreville-Hainneville

🇫🇷 France

3 km awayPop. 18,862

Tourlaville

🇫🇷 France

4 km awayPop. 18,273

La Glacerie

🇫🇷 France

5 km awayPop. 5,117

Querqueville

🇫🇷 France

6 km awayPop. 5,670

Martinvast

🇫🇷 France

6 km awayPop. 1,152

Bretteville

🇫🇷 France

7 km awayPop. 1,036

Digosville

🇫🇷 France

7 km awayPop. 1,505

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence