Cherbourg is a town in Normandy, north-west France, situated at the north of the Cotentin Peninsula. The Cotentin was the first territory conquered. the Vikings. For these sea people, it was logical that Cherbourg should become a port. The city evolved in relation to the Anglo-French conflicts before becoming a Channel stronghold and, in 1944, the world's most important harbour. The Anglo-Norman state created in 1066 after William's victory at Hastings was a decisive factor in the development of Cherbourg with its exceptional geographic position in the heart of this state. In 1145, William the Conqueror's granddaughter, Matilda, acquired land in the parish of Equeurdreville (La Croûte du Homet) on the approximate site of the modern Cherbourg Arsenal. She ordered the construction of an abbey dedicated to the Holy Virgin, whose cult was in full expansion at the time, the Abbaye du Voeu, of which important remains still stand.

	Country:	France
	Location:	Northwest
	Country Code:	+33
	Population:	44,108
	Language:	French
	Currency:	Euro (€)
	Time Zone:	GMT+1
	Train Station:	Cherbourg Gare
	Tourism:	Cherbourg Tourism

By Car Cherbourg links to Brittany via the E03 (southwards towards Avranches), and Caen and the Loire Valley via the E46.

By Train There are seven trains a day to Cherbourg from Paris St Lazare.

By Ferry There are up to 7 daily sailings to and from Cherbourg to Poole, Portsmouth and Rosslare, with services by the largest ferry operators - Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, and P&O Ferries.

• The Great Sea Wall
• The Abbey of the Vow
• Thomas Henry Art Museum
• Cité de la Mer
• Montagne du Roule

Both from land and sea, the town ia dominated by the Montagne du Roule. Rising 125 metres behind the town, it overlooks the roadstead and protects the sea wall and ports. The Abbey of the Vow was founded in 1145. It has had a very tormented history and. Listed as a Historical Monument in 2002 for its architectural and archaeological value, the site is now being restored. The Thomas Henry art museum is the third largest in Normandy as to the importance and value of its collections, including sculptures and paintings ranging from the 15th to the 19th century, by foreign masters as well as French classical painters. The Cité de la mer is a large museum devoted to scientific and historical aspects of maritime subjects.