10 interesting activities
The Bay of Mont Saint-Michel
The abbey, known as the Wonder of the West, towers over the Bay, dazzling visitors by her beauty.
The abbey of Mont Saint-Michel
The Wonder of the West opens its doors for a traditional or theme tour of its different rooms and intimate cloister. This masterpiece of medieval architecture is a recognised symbol of the expertise of 13th Century builders who erected two sets of three-level buildings on the rocky peak.
Granville
The archipelago of Chausey is the insular quarter of Granville, and the pride of its inhabitants! The island, with its idyllic landscapes is only an hour off the coast of Granville. Landing there is a pure delight… Set off to Chausey, and enjoy a visit to the beautiful sandy beaches. Paradise!
Cherbourg
La Hague, Cap Cotentin
Discover the bays of Quervière or Ecalgrain, visit the lighthouse of Goury, take in the view from the top of the granite cliff of Jobourg, 128 metres above sea level… Take a walk in the dunes of Biville, or between the gorse and the heather around the megalithic stones “Pierres Pouquelées”. Follow a path along dry stone walls in this area also called “little Ireland”.
During your stay in la Hague, you will find many hidden treasures, and fall under the spell of charming hamlets, with their low houses, nestled away from the wind.
A selection of favourite sites… amongst many others!
La Côtes des Havres
Barfleur
Tatihou off east coast of la Manche
Discover the Maritime Museum, the gardens, and the shipyard, where traditional boats undergo restoration. The name of Tatihou originates from the Vikings: it associates the Norse word “hou” (land surrounded by water) with the first name “Tat”.
The crossing between Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou can be done at high tide and at low tide aboard an amphibious boat: This strange embarkation, equipped with wheels runs on the sand at low tide!
GR223 – The coastal path
With the marshland of Cotentin, the bocage countryside, the cliffs of La Hague and its long sandy beaches, la Manche is a destination full of wonderful surprises. You can choose to set off on a walking holiday or simply explore one of the stages.
Sainte-Mère Eglise and Utah Beach
It was the English general Bernard Montgomery who decided on this beach, in order to establish a beachhead in Cotentin, and hasten the capture of Cherbourg and its deep-water port. A little further inland, was another landing zone: Sainte-Mère-Eglise, where the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions were dropped. Allies suffered heavy losses there but Sainte-Mère-Eglise was the first French town to be liberated by the Allies.
The Cotentin and Bessin Marshlands
Meadows, grazed or mowed, are criss-crossed with ditches and dotted with peat bogs; these have been created in the wetland that stretches out to the sea, to the east and to the west. The marshlands are inhabited by characteristic flora and fauna; the landscapes here have two faces, changing with the seasons.
The best way to understand this particular environment is to visit “la Maison du Parc”. Here, nearly 500 m² of themed areas enable you to go on a fun sensorial tour of the wetland (exhibition, film about the seasons, panoramic view-point, boutique, lounge…).