If you are staying at La Becterie, you are probably looking for fun things to do nearby. Well, here is a real gem we highly recommend: La Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg. This fantastic museum, just a short drive away – a mere 20-minute drive from our guesthouse – is a hit with both kids and adults, attracting visitors from all over France (and beyond!). Whether you are naturally curious, a history lover, or simply looking for an original day out, you are going to love it.
Ji-Elle, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
La Cité de la Mer is set in a truly impressive place: Cherbourg’s old transatlantic passenger terminal. It is a beautiful Art Deco building that once welcomed the grandest ocean liners of the 20th century. This is where the Titanic made its last stop before heading across the Atlantic in 1912. Since 2002, the site has been transformed into a museum while keeping its historical charm. The mix of maritime history and stunning architecture alone makes it worth the visit!
But what really makes the Cité de la Mer so special is everything there is to see and do inside. You can tour Le Redoutable, a former real nuclear submarine, dive into the deep sea through immersive exhibits, and admire amazing aquariums filled with colorful fish, jellyfish, and even sharks! There are models, videos, and fascinating objects to discover everything about the ocean and underwater exploration. Time flies when you’re there; plan at least 2/3 hours, up-to 6 hours !
Personally, my favorite part was the Titanic exhibition. It’s incredibly well done—both moving and fascinating—with reconstructions, period objects, and stories that truly bring the history to life. You feel completely immersed in the atmosphere of this legendary ship. And if you’re visiting with children, they’ll absolutely love the aquariums and exotic sea creatures. In short, La Cité de la Mer is a fantastic museum, just a short drive away. and a day out we always recommend to our guests—and we’re sure you’ll enjoy it too!