The submarines that changed history
A unique collection that inspires us to become future explorers…
The champions of deep-sea diving: Alvin, Cyana, Globule, Nautile, Mir… overlook visitors as soon as they arrive. In the image of the exploits described on the labels, we imagine ourselves as pilots on our way to unknown marine landscapes aboard these extraordinary machines!
Aboard these machines (real or life-size reconstructions), the greatest international aquanauts have been able to explore unknown depths and make exceptional discoveries. In particular, the Russian Mir, the American Alvin and the French Nautile have made all the dives to the wreck of the Titanic since 1987.
Take control!
Practical info: Take a virtual tour of our Grande Galerie des Engins et des Hommes and even climb aboard the Cyana submarine by clicking on the arrows!
Explorers of the Abyss
For decades, a handful of men and women have defied ancestral fears of the abyss to unravel the mysteries of the deep. Whether American, Chinese, French, Japanese or Russian, these aquanauts have opened the doors of a new world to mankind. This wall of celebrities, a sort of “Hollywood boulevard”, highlights the careers of 16 aquanauts through a date, a depth record and a device.
In pictures
The most impressive is the Archimedes
The Archimède descended to -9,545 m in 1962. In front of it, we enter its habitable sphere, a testament to the extreme smallness of the observation post!
The most modern is a replica of the Deepsea Challenger
The DEEPSEA CHALLENGER is James Cameron’s revolutionary machine. In 2012, the renowned filmmaker and oceanographer reached -10,908 m in just 2.5 hours, completely curled up on board the 1.09 m-diameter sphere!
In videos
La Cité de la Mer: Explorers of the Abyss
The Great Gallery of Men and Machines
Archimède and Cyana 2 submarines at La Cité de la Mer
La Cité de la Mer under marine globule
For more information
Explorateur des Abysses: a wall of celebrities showcasing oceanauts
For decades, a handful of men and women have defied ancestral fears of the abyss to unravel the mysteries of the deep. Whether American, Chinese, French, Japanese or Russian, these aquanauts have opened the doors of a new world to mankind. At La Cité de la Mer, a wall of celebrities highlights the careers of many of these aquanauts by date, depth record and craft.
The Alabama cannon: a Civil War relic
The CSS Alabama was a Southern ship that sank in 1864 off Cherbourg after an epic battle in the American Civil War. This event makes Cherbourg the only site in the world recognized as an official Civil War battlefield outside the United States. One of the Alabama’s cannons was reassembled in 1994 and has been on display at La Cité de la Mer since 2002.
Hours and rates
- Open all year
- Free for children under 5
- Children’s rate: from €15
- Adult rate: from €21
LE CONCERT DE LA LIBERTÉ: the electro show at La Cité de la Mer.
On 14 June 2025, Bob Sinclar, Mosimann, Trinix and Chris Willsman will be rocking the Grande Halle at Cherbourg’s Gare Maritime Transatlantique in an unforgettable concert. Buy your ticket now !
