Cité de la Mer

The Cité de la Mer ("city of the sea") is a maritime museum in Cherbourg, France.

Nicknamed Notre-Dame des Queens, in reference to the Cunard Line liners, it was inaugurated on July 30, 1933, by the President of the Republic Albert Lebrun.

The president of the urban community of Cherbourg (CUC), and also Minister of Tourism, Olivier Stirn, launched a study for the design of such a museum, but the sized discouraged elected officials.

However, in 1995 a few active associations succeeded in having the municipal councils of the agglomeration register the transfer of competence to the CUC for the design, construction and management of a naval museum, within the transatlantic station.

Supported by Bernard Cauvin, president of the CUC, the project is also part of the rehabilitation of the former maritime station of René Levavasseur, the largest "art deco" monument in France, entrusted to the architect Jean-François Milou.