Roule Mountain (Montagne du Roule)
About Roule Mountain (Montagne du Roule)
The Montagne du Roule is a 117-meter rocky promontory overlooking Cherbourg, offering panoramic views of the city, harbor, and English Channel. The summit houses Fort du Roule, built 1853-1857 under Napoleon III, which played a crucial role in WWII as the last German stronghold during Cherbourg's liberation in June 1944. Today the fort contains the Musée de la Libération, France's first museum dedicated to the Liberation, inaugurated in 1954. Visitors can explore exhibits on civilian and military life during the occupation, tour underground galleries used for ammunition storage, or take specialized speleology tours through 500 meters of WWII tunnels. The viewpoint is freely accessible year-round, while the museum operates Tuesday through Sunday with free entry for visitors under 26 and every Wednesday for everyone.
Interesting Facts
American Corporals John D. Kelly and Lieutenant Carlos C. Ogden received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the assault on Fort du Roule on June 25, 1944. The battle lasted 36 hours and ended in hand-to-hand combat with grenades and bayonets before the German garrison of 160 soldiers surrendered.
During World War II, German forces painted the entire fort in camouflage colors to hide it from Allied bombers. Traces of this paint remained visible until the 1990s restoration finally removed them completely.
The French Navy built extensive tunnels beneath the mountain in 1928 for torpedo storage and modification. These same tunnels were later used by German forces and are now part of the speleology tours, classified as historical monuments since 1995.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Fort du Roule, Montée des Résistants, 50100 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
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