Cherbourg, the port city on the northern tip of the Cotentin peninsula, is influenced by its location to the sea and by shipping.
History of Cherbourg
The city became internationally known by the movie “Les Parapluies de Cherbourg” (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) with Catherine Deneuve from the year 1964.
But the history goes further into the past. Already the Romans set up an army camp here. Around the year 1000, the castle was built and in the 14th century the city was fortified with a wall.
During the 100-years war the city was fought over multiple times until it finally became French in 1450. King Louis XIV. extended the fortress and set up a naval port. Napoleon improved the roadstead and strengthened it with fortresses.
In the 2nd World War Cherbourg was hard-fought after the invasion of Normandy, until it was finally developed into the most important supply base.
Today Cherbourg benefited economically from the naval base and the nearby nuclear reprocessing plant at La Hague.
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More InformationThe longest roadstead of the world protects a seaport, a Marina and a base of the navy from the waves of the English Channel.
Since 2013, 2 heat pumps, with a capacity of 1 MW each, are in the operation in the quarter La Divette. They produce 84% of the required heat of the quarter.
City walk
We start with our walk through Cherbourg at the marina and have a first glance at the roadstead and the fortress.
On the other side of the harbor, we explore the area around Place Napoleon. An equestrian statue was erected in his honor and a hotel was named after Napoleon.
Opposite is the mayor’s office. The Gothic Basilique Sainte Trinité was built in 1466 on the ruins of earlier church.
The narrow streets convey a unique atmosphere. The houses are built of slate which was won in the area.
Small restaurants and cafes invite you to linger.
We happen by chance the shop in the Rue du Port, that served as backdrop for the movie “Les Parapluies De Cherbourg”.
At the port we allow ourselves a relaxing breakfast and enjoy the sunshine before heading to the commercial center of the city, to the Rue du Commerce.
Street musicians play to entertain the hurrying people, but hardly noticed by passers-by.
Two blocks away is a weekly market.
Again we stroll through narrow streets, and watch a cat overlooking the street from the living room window.
We end up back at the Basilique Sainte Trinité on the Place Napoleon.
On the opposite side, a dry dock stabs us into the eye.
Already since Le Havre, we were aware that the life in the Normandy is a little more leisurely and one does not permanently have the feeling to be put under stress.
More about Cherbourg:
- Le Veritable Cherbourg – Umbrellas of Cherbourg
- La Cite de la Mer
- Cherbourg Harbor – The Pyramids of Cherbourg
- Le Redoutable – the first French nuclear submarine
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