City of the Sea (La Cité de la Mer)
About City of the Sea (La Cité de la Mer)
La Cité de la Mer occupies the former Gare Maritime Transatlantique, France's largest Art Deco monument built between 1928-1933 and once considered the world's most beautiful maritime station. The complex houses Le Redoutable, the world's largest visitable nuclear submarine at 128 meters long, which served France's nuclear deterrent from 1971 to 1991. Visitors explore the submarine's interior through a 35-minute audio-guided tour covering crew quarters, command post, and torpedo room. The museum features Europe's deepest aquarium at 10.70 meters, with 17 themed tanks showcasing ocean biodiversity across three viewing levels. A permanent Titanic exhibition displays 42 authentic artifacts, as Cherbourg was the ship's final European port before its tragic voyage in April 1912. The building itself was elected 'Favorite Monument of the French' in 2022. Hours vary seasonally - the museum closes Mondays in winter and extends hours during summer. Plan 4-5 hours for a complete visit; tickets are valid all day with re-entry allowed.
Interesting Facts
The original Gare Maritime Transatlantique was so vast that at its 1933 inauguration, it was considered France's largest construction project since Versailles. The 280-meter main hall could simultaneously accommodate two trains and two ocean liners, enabling passengers to walk directly from railway carriages onto transatlantic ships.
During World War II, German forces dynamited the building on June 23, 1944, shortly before the Allied liberation of Cherbourg. The reconstruction took eight years (1948-1952), and the terminal was reopened by Prime Minister Antoine Pinay. It was later saved from demolition in the 1980s when preservationists recognized its architectural significance.
In 2023, previously unknown footage of the 1933 inauguration ceremony was discovered in a private collection. This rare film shows President Albert Lebrun officially opening what newspapers of the era called 'the world's most beautiful maritime station,' with its original Cuban mahogany paneling and Art Deco lighting fixtures still visible.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Ticket Prices
Full Visit
RecommendedIncludes access to all exhibitions, aquarium, and Le Redoutable submarine. Children under 5 cannot visit the submarine for safety reasons.
Location & Practical Info
Address
Gare Maritime Transatlantique, Allée du Président Menut, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, France
Website
https://www.citedelamer.comDay Routes
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