Interested in enrolling in a program at the Institute of Marine Culinary Arts?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin offers a wide range of accommodation and dining options to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Here are some practical details to help you plan your visit.
Where to Stay Nearby
To make your training experience easier, several accommodations are available near the institute. (Please note: the Institute does not provide on-site lodging.)
- Le Shelder — 200, quai de la paix, 3 étoiles, 3 minutes à pied.
- Le Cercle — 13, place de la République, 3 étoiles, 25 minutes à pied.
- Le Louvre — 2, rue Henri Dunant, 3 étoiles, 20 minutes à pied.
- Le Chantereyne — rue de la Brigantine, 3 étoiles, 20 minutes à pied.
- L’Autre Lieu — tiers lieu culturel, dans l’ancien hôpital maritime, 10 minutes à pied.
- Auberge de jeunesse — 55, rue de l’Abbaye, 5 minutes à pied.
- Hôtel Mercure Cherbourg Centre Port — 13, Quai de l’Entrepôt, 4 étoiles, 30 minutes à pied.
- Le Grand Hôtel — 42, Rue de la Marine, 4 étoiles, 30 minutes à pied.
- Appart’City Cherbourg Centre Port — 65, Avenue Carnot, 3 étoiles, 13 minutes en voiture.
- Hôtel Ambassadeur — 22, Quai de Caligny, 3 étoiles, 8 minutes en voiture.
- La Maison de Sylvie — 101, Rue Pierre de Coubertin, chambres d’hôtes, 15 minutes en voiture.
Where to Eat: Culinary Hotspots to Explore
In addition to the AFPA training restaurant and gourmet space, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin offers a variety of restaurants serving creative and delicious menus. Take time to wander through the town center or around the old harbor— you’re sure to find some delightful surprises!
Make the Most of Your Visit: Tourism & Discovery
Take advantage of your stay to explore Terre Bleue, the region’s maritime ecosystem, and visit some of the area’s most iconic sites:
- Maison du Littoral — in Tourlaville, for insight into the local marine environment
- La Cité de la Mer — a must-see museum located in the former maritime station
- Musée de la Libération — on the Roule mountain, inside a 19th-century fort
- Cherbourg harbor — the largest artificial harbor in Europe
- The Cherbourg Umbrella Factory — made famous by Jacques Demy’s film
- The Customs Trail (GR 223) — an unmissable coastal hiking path
- The Nez de Jobourg — with its dramatic cliffs and striking landscapes
You can also explore Port Racine (one of France’s smallest ports), architectural heritage like the Italian-style theater and botanical garden, the Maison de Jacques Prévert, and much more.
For more information, contact the Cherbourg-en-Cotentin Tourist Office at 2 Quai Alexandre III.
How to Get Here
Whether you’re coming from Normandy, Paris, Rennes, or Nantes, the Institute is easily accessible by car, train, or public transportation.
By Car
From the RN13, follow signs through La Glacerie via Avenue de la Liberté, Rue Jean-François Millet, Boulevard Guillaume le Conquérant, Rue de l’Abbaye, Rue Gambetta, Rue des 3 Hangars, and Rue de Beuzeville. The AFPA is located at 55 rue de Beuzeville. Free parking is available.
By Train
The Cherbourg-en-Cotentin SNCF station is served by several daily trains from Paris Saint-Lazare. The Institute is a 35-minute walk or a 20-minute taxi ride from the station.
By Public Transportation
Bus lines 2 and 3 on the Cap Cotentin network stop directly in front of the AFPA entrance (Trésor Public stop). The network offers single tickets, 24-hour passes, or 10-trip cards.
Short Courses: A Taste of the Experience
Whether solo, in a duo, or with friends, our short courses offer immersive, hands-on experiences for tourists and culinary enthusiasts. Currently in development, these workshops will teach simple, easy-to-reproduce techniques you’ll be able to apply in your own kitchen.
Need Help Preparing Your Visit?
Looking for tailored advice? Our team is here to help and happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact us