Manche: Coast, Islands and Heritage

Coastal landscapes and protected nature

The Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS) network encompasses marshland, dunes, cliffs, heathland, forests and bocage. In all, 35 such natural areas are spread across the département. Some of its dune systems are among the most impressive and extensive in France; some of its sea cliffs are among the highest in the country. These landscapes therefore represent more than a single type of coastline, encompassing different forms of nature. Since 1979, the département has worked to protect its ENS sites and make them accessible to the public.

The islands also add a maritime touch: Tatihou and Chausey are considered protected areas and bird sanctuaries, and can be reached by boat from ports in Manche. The crossing to Tatihou from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue aboard the amphibious boat Tatihou III takes approximately five to 15 minutes; journey time may vary depending on conditions. Tatihou is a site managed by the Conservatoire du littoral, where camping is prohibited. Nautical and wind-powered activities in Manche also include land sailing, wingfoiling and surfing.

Cycling, trails and longer routes

Greenways, along with numerous walking, cycling and towpaths, criss-cross the département. The cycling network comprises 255 kilometres of greenways and 196 kilometres of signposted shared roads.

Two longer routes also differ considerably in their course and length: the signposted Véloscénie runs for 450 kilometres between Mont-Saint-Michel and Paris. VéloWestNormandy is a 200-kilometre route connecting the D-Day beaches and Mont-Saint-Michel through natural heritage. Check route details before setting off.

Abbeys, architecture and history

Hambye Abbey is one of the most complete medieval monastic complexes in Normandy. Coutances Cathedral is considered a masterpiece of Gothic architecture; guided tours include areas reaching up to the upper sections. Together, these offer two distinct ways to explore religious heritage: a monastic complex and a cathedral whose architecture can also be appreciated on a visit to its upper levels.

Azeville Battery is a fortification of the Atlantic Wall. It includes trenches and underground galleries and is connected with the Allied objectives of 6 June 1944. Jacques Prévert’s house offers a different perspective on history: original works by the poet can be seen in his former home.

Mont-Saint-Michel

On a rocky island subject to powerful tides, Mont-Saint-Michel brings together a Gothic Benedictine abbey and a fortified village. Construction of the abbey spanned the 11th to the 16th century; in 2015, Mont-Saint-Michel’s maritime character was restored. UNESCO describes it as a major site of medieval Christian civilisation. A footbridge and shuttle run from La Caserne to the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Museums exploring crafts and nature

The Ceramics Museum in Ger explores the historical uses of pottery and everyday life in the past. Objects, exhibitions, interactive displays and audiovisual presentations bring these subjects to life. The museum is located on a former production site dedicated to the heritage of pottery and ceramic design. Visitors interested in crafted objects and their former uses will find a different focus here from that of the religious and military history sites.

The Bay Ecomuseum, meanwhile, presents the flora and fauna of the Manche estuary along the GR 223 coastal path.

Discover more destinations: Hambye, Vesly, Acqueville, Blainville Sur Mer, Le Teilleul, Fervaches, Surville, Le Tanu, La Luzerne, Prétot-Sainte-Suzanne, Sortosville-en-Beaumont, Couville, Émondeville, Lolif, Varouville, Benoîtville, Ver, Montjoie-Saint-Martin, Héauville, Les Loges-sur-Brécey, Buais, Le Vicel, Folligny, Le Hommet-d'Arthenay, Picauville, Sourdeval-Les-Bois, Airel, Coulouvray-Boisbenâtre, Juilley, Saint-Pierre-Langers, Moon-Sur-Elle, Morsalines, Négreville, Orval, Pierreville, Montaigu-la-Brisette, Colomby, Joganville, Le Lorey, Morville, Ravenoville-Plage, Regnéville-Sur-Mer, Réville, Rouffigny, Saint-Floxel, Saint-Georges-De-La-Rivière, Saint-Germain-Sur-Ay, Saint-Jean-De-La-Rivière, Saint-Jean-Le-Thomas, Saint-Jores, Saint-Lô-D'ourville, Saint-Malo-De-La-Lande, Lestre, Liesville-Sur-Douve, Le Mesnil-Amand, Saint-Pierre-Eglise, Monthuchon, Saint-Martin-Le-Hébert, Saint-Maurice-En-Cotentin, Saint-Ovin, Saint-Pair-Sur-Mer, Saint-Pellerin, Saint-Pierre-D'arthéglise, Saint-Sauveur-La-Pommeraye, Saint-Sauveur-Le-Vicomte, Quettehou, Agon-Coutainville, Anctoville-Sur-Boscq, Angoville-Sur-Ay, Anneville-Sur-Mer, Argouges, Auderville, Avranches, Bacilly, Barneville-Carteret, Beaubigny, Bellefontaine, Vauville, Champcervon, La Ronde-Haye, Auxais, Beauvoir, Saint-Georges-De-Bohon, Marigny, Beauchamps, Teurthéville-Hague, Savigny, Montviron, Saint-James, Saint-Jean-De-Daye, Saint-Martin-De-Landelles, Les Perques, Ancteville, Gourfaleur, La Lande-D'airou, Montbray, Le Mesnil-Ozenne, La Chapelle-Urée, Houesville, Le Perron, Le Mesnil-Garnier, Carquebut, Saint-Vigor-des-Monts, Notre-Dame-du-Touchet, Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny, Bion, Bretteville, Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Dangy, Carantilly, Saint-Joseph, Les Moitiers-en-Bauptois, Le Mesnil-Amey, Omonville-La-Petite, Montaigu-Les-Bois, La Croix-Avranchin, Urville-Nacqueville, Huisnes Sur Mer, Lithaire, Marchésieux, Mobecq, Hudimesnil, Besneville, Agneaux, Contrières, Le Plessis-Lastelle, Saint-Jacques-De-Néhou, Beaumont-Hague, Champeaux, La Haye-Du-Puits, Torigni-Sur-Vire, Périers, Graignes-Mesnil-Angot, Gavray, Juvigny-Le-Tertre, Saint-Louet-Sur-Vire, Tanis, Parigny, Reigneville-Bocage, Couvains, Vengeons, Maupertuis, Moyon, Margueray, Saint-Clément-Rancoudray, Villiers-Fossard, Saint-Michel-De-Montjoie, Bourguenolles, Bretteville-Sur-Ay, Breuville, Bréville-Sur-Mer, Bricqueville-Sur-Mer, Brix, Cambernon, Carolles, Cartigny-L'épinay, Chef-Du-Pont, Cosqueville, Courtils, Coutances, Crasville, Créances, Denneville, Fermanville, Feugères, Flamanville, Flottemanville, Fontenay-Sur-Mer, Fresville, Gatteville-Le-Phare, Genets, Gouvets, Granville, Gratot, Grosville, Hauteville-Sur-Mer, Hauteville-Sur-Mer-Plage, La Baleine, Aumeville-Lestre, Huberville, Cérences, Champcey, Sacey, Maupertus-Sur-Mer, Yvetot-Bocage, Mont-Saint-Michel, Lingreville, Kairon Plage, Saint-Martin-De-Bréhal, Le Vrétot, Les Pieux, St Laurent De Terregate, Sainte-Cécile, Condé, Geffosses, Heussé, Saussey, Valognes, Coudeville-Sur-Mer, Magneville, Montgothier, Saint-Hilaire-Du-Harcouët, Saint-Rémy-Des-Landes, Valcanville, Vaudreville, Vergoncey, Virey, Le Rozel, Ouville, Le Buisson, Le Mesnil, Moulines, Canisy, Carentan, Foucarville, Braffais, Barfleur, Montfarville, Cerisy-La-Salle, Le Mesnil-Hue, Saint Planchers, Raids, Blosville, Montgardon, Jullouville-Les-Pins, Brillevast, Saint-Martin-Des-Champs, Longueville, Fleury, Saint-Marcouf, L'etang-Bertrand, Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont, Néville-Sur-Mer, Saint-Denis-Le-Gast, Beuzeville-La-Bastille, La Trinité, Sortosville, Saint-Loup, Servon, Brouains, Vains, Montmartin-Sur-Mer, Montpinchon, Canville-la-Rocque, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Monts, Montebourg, Le Ham, Le Mesnil-Rogues, Le Mesnil-Tôve, Le Mesnil-Villeman, Le Val-Saint-Père, Les Moitiers-D'allonne, Beaucoudray, Les Loges-Marchis, Le Mesnil-Gilbert, Hauteville-la-Guichard, Beauficel, Saussemesnil, Saint-Aubin-De-Terregatte, Chérencé-Le-Roussel, Turqueville, Cherbourg-Octeville, Dragey-Ronthon, Équeurdreville-Hainneville, Lengronne, Chaulieu, Sainte-Suzanne-sur-Vire, Les Cresnays, Saint-Clair-sur-l'Elle, Hérenguerville, La Bloutière, Sottevast, Percy, Morigny, La Rochelle-Normande, Gréville-Hague, Précey, Remilly-Sur-Lozon, Omonville-La-Rogue, Muneville-Le-Bingard, Barenton, Millières, Virandeville, Biniville, La Lucerne-D'outremer, Équilly, Perriers-En-Beauficel, La Chapelle-Cécelin, Sotteville, Baudre, La Meurdraquière, Muneville-sur-Mer, Chavoy, Montsurvent, Quineville, Saint-Martin-De-Varreville, Heugueville-Sur-Sienne, Sainte-Croix-Hague, Vindefontaine, Angey, Montmartin-En-Graignes, Donville-Les-Bains, Querqueville, Roncey, Théville, La Colombe, Tessy-Sur-Vire, Fierville-Les-Mines, Plomb, Marcey-Les-Grèves, Biville, La Feuillie, Saint-Sauveur-Lendelin, Néhou, Boisroger, Romagny, Savigny-Le-Vieux, Tirepied, Placy-Montaigu, Ger, Lessay, Tourlaville, Saint-Lô, Pontorson, Mortain, Pirou, Pirou-Plage, Portbail, Ravenoville, Les Veys, Quettreville-Sur-Sienne, Sainte-Geneviève, Brécey, Beslon, Gouville-Sur-Mer, Le Neufbourg, Gathemo, Le Grand Celland, Le Guislain, Giéville, Saint-Hilaire-Petitville, Camprond, Le Theil, Aucey-La-Plaine, Montanel, Audouville-La-Hubert, Le Mesnilbus, Varenguebec, Saint-Brice-De-Landelles, Martinvast, Le Loreur, Angoville-Au-Plain, Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard, Saint-Patrice-De-Claids, La Mouche, Saint-Aubin-Des-Préaux, Le Dézert, Ducey, Bricquebec, Carnet, Notre-Dame-De-Cenilly, Brévands, Le Vast, Vessey, Gorges, Digosville, Cerisy-La-Forêt, Courcy, Sourdeval, Cuves, Doville, Bricqueville-La-Blouette, Céaux, Poilley, Trelly, Villedieu-Les-Poêles, Bréhal, Saint-Germain-De-Tournebut, La Pernelle, Sainteny, Orglandes, Hebecrevon, Helleville, Hocquigny, Isigny-Le-Buat, Kairon, Saint-Senier-Sous-Avranches, Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue, Sainte-Mère-Église, Sainte-Pience, Sartilly, Siouville, Surtainville, Tamerville, Tocqueville, Treauville, Cretteville, Brucheville, Pont-Hébert, Saint-Denis-Le-Vêtu, Le Luot, Gouberville, Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé, Laulne, Quibou, Tollevast, Saint-Fromond, Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves, Le Mesnil-Rainfray, Guilberville, Brainville, Ozeville, Montabot, Gourbesville, Ponts, Beuvrigny, Saint-Pois, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Le-Homme, La Barre-De-Semilly, Tourville-Sur-Sienne, Annoville, Octeville-L'avenel, La Haye-D'ectot, La Haye-Pesnel, Le Valdécie, Vasteville, La Vendelée, La Glacerie.

For the regional travel overview: Normandy.