Come visit the storied rooms of the Cherbourg Transatlantic Terminal, where La Cité de la Mer presents its new summer exhibition, “Transatlantic Destinations: Cherbourg, Le Havre”, from 11 July to 23 August 2026.
The Salle des Pas Perdus, with its distinctive 1930s Art Deco style, will be opened especially for the exhibition. Explore the unique ties between the two Norman ports through our informational displays (in French, English and German) and an extensive collection of archive materials and period artefacts.
A Transatlantic Story
La Cité de la Mer invites you to take a closer look at the strong ties between Normandy’s two iconic ports: Cherbourg and Le Havre. What do they have in common? Transatlantic crossings. Rediscover more than 130 years of maritime history, from the first French crossing from Cherbourg in 1847 to the 1970s, which marked the end of transatlantic voyages between Europe and the Americas aboard luxury ocean liners due to the rapid growth of air travel.
You’ll learn about the cordial but fierce rivalry between the steamships of the French shipping companies based in Le Havre and the foreign companies that first operated out of Cherbourg. They would vie for supremacy in Atlantic crossings as they competed for the famous ‘Blue Riband’, awarded each year to the fastest ship. Relive this transatlantic saga at the exhibition, which recounts the origins of the spectacular stopovers that led to the construction of two transatlantic terminals in the fascinating Art Deco style.
An Exceptional Space in Europe
As you enter the Salle des Pas Perdus to admire the exhibition, you’ll be transported back to the 1930s thanks to the exotic woodwork, tiles and counters from the period. You’ll follow in the footsteps of travellers of yesteryear in this exceptional space with its refined décor by Marc Simon, one of the exhibition’s key figures. Simon was also the interior designer for renowned ocean liners such as the Normandie. His work perfectly illustrates the distinctive Norman craftsmanship that is highlighted in this new exhibition at La Cité de la Mer, which also features the Cherbourg-based firm Noyon that was selected during this period to furnish the third-class Salon on this same liner.
Transatlantic Memories
Artefacts from the period, scale models, posters and antique furniture from the Transatlantic Terminal will immerse you in the storied past of the most illustrious ships that called at Cherbourg and Le Havre, such as the Queen Mary, the Normandie and the De Grasse. The storied past of these titans of the seas will take you on an enchanting voyage. The exhibition offers a veritable showcase of our maritime heritage, made possible through close cooperation with French Lines & Compagnies and the Normandy Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Practical information:
The exhibition is from 11 July to 23 August 2026. It is part of standard admission to La Cité de la Mer and is included in the main entrance ticket at no extra cost.
