La Rade artificielle de Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

About

Cherbourg harbor is the 2nd largest artificial harbor in the world (1,500 hectares). A military and now maritime bulwark, it protects the port and town of Cherbourg from the elements. On the initiative of Louis XVI, the dike and forts were built in 1784, to shelter 80 ships in the event of an English attack. The work was subsequently continued by Napoleon I, with the construction of a military port and arsenal, before being inaugurated in 1858 by Napoleon III and Queen Victoria. It comprises two roadsteads: the Grande Rade, further out to sea, and the Petite Rade, which protects the port and the Arsenal. The Grande Rade is made up of 6 forts (from east to west): - Fort de l'île Pelée is located on the rock from which it takes its name. It was a prison during the French Revolution. Its dike joins the Collignon beach, but is not continuous: it can be crossed by boat. - Fort de l'Est is a former naval battery. It was completely destroyed before the arrival of the Germans in 1940. Together with Fort Pelee, these two forts frame the eastern pass. - Fort Central was first named "Batterie Bonaparte", then "Batterie Napoléon". It features two ports and barracks. During the Second World

From the tourism feed, updated 1 Oct 2026 by OT Cotentin. Rules can differ by commune, so check the signs on site.