Jayemm,
Enjoy the trip - it is all much easier once you have done it for the 1st time.
Agree with everything said here so far. Also - get yourself a Bottlang VFR French guide - either the trip kit or the monthly updated version - from Transair. Trip kit is around £30 and worth its weight in gold for VFR in Froggieland.
Customs at Cherbourg is good, you may then wish to break the journey at La Rochelle, Nantes or somewhere. Also on the way back try Les Sables D'Olonne or Quiberon for a stop off / overnight.
Catch me at EGLK over the weekend for a general chat if you wish - ask Margaret in the cafe if Kevin is around.
A2