"The port of call at the tip of Cotentin " a Cherbourg Travel Page by Pavlik_NL

Here we are, at the Northern coastline of Cotentin peninsula, sticking out far into the English Channel (La Manche) under Atlantic currents and winds. Cherbourg, a true city of the sea (Cite de Mer), already is a harbourtime for several thousand years, however ... only in the last few centuries it is proud to be the largest deep water harbour in the world. It was Napoleon Bonaparte that immediately recognised the importance of this harbour in his strategic plans for France. He created (on a submerged rim of rocks) several artificial islands on which fortresses control the port of Cherbourg. It easily can have several huge cruiseline ships in it's outer bassin, while leaving many smaller harbours for smaller boats, fishermen's ships, yaughts and sailing boats. Cherbourg is as well an important Marine Base for France.

Cherbourg is actually a double town. It's official name is Cherbourg-Octeville, named after both towns that merged into one over the last few decades. Surrounding Cherbourg-Octeville many other villages have as well become a part of this agglomeration, such as Tourlaville, Querqueville and Nacqueville.
Cherbourg also can be seen as the capitol and centre of Cotentin peninsula, though it is situated completely in the North of this piece of Normandie. Here's the end (as well as beginning) of the Normandian Autoroute (A29) that starts in Paris, as well as the place where many ferry ships leave for England and Ireland. A true gateway to the sea.

For us, Cherbourg was during our holiday 2006, the main supplier of our daily bread. As in the small village of Maupertus-sur-Mer (where our Camping was situated) there were hardly any large supermarkets or shopping malls. Furthermore, Cherbourg had some beautiful sightseeing places in and around the town. Above all Cite de la Mer (a nautical museum) is a must see. Furthermore, the town offers more interesting places, but this you can read in my tips throughout the standard VT-tip categories.