THE CITY OF THE SEA

Unmissable and spectacular: located in the former Gare Maritime Transatlantique, this is Normandy's tourist and family site dedicated to the adventure of man and the sea. The visit takes place in several stages, so plan a day of incredible discovery! When you arrive, ask for your digital tour companion, the "pilot fish", which will enrich your visit. Start by boarding the Redoutable, the world's largest visitable submarine (ages 5 and up). Thanks to the 35-minute audioguide, discover the secret daily life of the submariners as if the crew had just completed their mission! Among the must-see experiences, "Ocean on Tap" plunges you into the sound universe of the underwater world, where you'll be surprised by the richness of the sounds emitted by marine species, and you can even take the (virtual) controls of a submarine! In "L'Océan du Futur" (The Ocean of the Future), explore the planet's last wilderness with 17 aquariums dazzling with color and life, including the impressive Aquarium Abyssal, a 10.70m-high water column featuring a Tahitian atoll. The Cité de la Mer also lets you relive the last hours of the Titanic (which called at Cherbourg): in addition to soaking up the atmosphere on board, the museography makes you witnesses to this historic cruise, by presenting real objects from the wreck. In 2025, a new collection will be presented!

Another new feature: for the first time, La Cité de la Mer offers visitors the chance to travel back in time with "Cherbourg Transatlantique", an immersive experience. In the heart of the Gare Maritime Transatlantique, in its former train hall, you'll be equipped with a virtual reality headset to relive the excitement of a unique day for 35 minutes: the inaugural stopover of the Queen Mary on April 14, 1937. Like a traveler ready to embark for the Americas, you'll be surrounded on the platforms by transatlantic trains and their passengers, amazed to discover the world's most beautiful passenger terminal! During your stroll, you'll meet witnesses to the era, such as the station's architect, a baggage handler, passengers and the station manager (recommended for ages 8 and up - opening schedule on citedelamer.com).

Last but not least, the Cité de la Mer also offers fish-feeding sessions, temporary exhibitions, screenings and a major electro-concert in June... A one-stop shop for planning your visit: citedelamer.com