The region
Explore **activities in Manche** to enrich your stay with captivating local experiences.
Gastronomy.
On-site catering
Our four gîtes in Normandy (Sword, Utah, Omaha, Gold) allow you to cook independently. Independent kitchen indoors, barbecue outdoors. You can prepare delicious meals there. Here are some ideas for regional dishes to cook or taste. And this is just a small taste of Normandy gastronomy!
To supply you with regional products, here are some addresses:
Service + : we suggest you book your meals with a caterer
Caterer:
Restaurants and Inns
Our region is full of restaurants and inns that offer traditional, avant-garde and gourmet cuisine. Take advantage of your stay to discover these passionate chefs and awaken your taste buds!
Some addresses in the region
Normandy tourism.
All about the Channel.
Everything about the Channel… or almost!
The Manche Department is divided into two historical zones, Cotentin in its northern two-thirds and Avranchin in the south.
An integral part of the Armorican massif and located on the western limits of the Normandy region, the Cotentin or Cotentin peninsula is bordered by the sea to the east, north and west, and by a large part of floodable marshes during the winter periods, geographically located from the town of Trévières (14) to that of Lessay (50).
The Neolithic period left many traces of human activity such as the covered alleys of Rocheville, Lithaire, Bretteville en Saire and various sites of standing stones.
The Cotentin peninsula was populated by a Gallic tribe, the Unelli (Unelles), whose city was Cosedia (today Coutances). Avranchin to the south was populated by the Abrincatuii (Abrincates), whose city was Ingena (today Avranches).
Normandy as such was born in 911 by the treaty of Saint Clair sur Epte with the Viking leader Rollon in a configuration which corresponds more or less to the current departments. The name Normans was formerly used to name the Vikings and literally meant "men of the north"
The region experienced many vicissitudes throughout its period, from the Norman ducal period (10th century) to the Hundred Years' War (15th century), a permanent issue between the crown of England (English occupation for 32 years), the dukes of Normandy and the king of France.
Also noteworthy are the numerous witchcraft trials that affected the entire country and of which the Cotentin was the scene, in particular. the trial of La Haye du Puit which began in 1669
Historically, Normandy remains, however, best known for its landing beaches and that of Utah Beach (Madeleine Beach) in the commune of Sainte Marie du Mont, the first commune to be liberated, without forgetting of course Sainte Mère Église and the parachute drops of June 6, 1944, a major site for memorial tourism.
Long based on self-consumption and the subsistence economy, therefore without production intended for export, from the 19th century onwards the development of dairy farming appeared, which would give a strong dynamism to the economy of the region, promoting the growth of towns and industries. Maritime transport and the appearance of the railway would help the growth and export of the agri-food industry.
At the same time, fishing on foot or at sea, as well as shellfish farming (oyster and mussel farming) are activities that are deeply rooted in local tradition.
The region presents an astonishing variety of landscapes as well as a beautiful architectural wealth. First of all, to the south, the bay and its Mont St Michel, a world-famous must-see place. A little further inland, the town of Mortain and its waterfalls, then going up the west coast, Granville and its surroundings including the Hambye Abbey. We then arrive in the region of Coutances, a town dominated by a magnificent cathedral.
At the centre of the department is the town of Saint Lô, an administrative town and the prefecture of Manche. The "capital of ruins" was severely affected during the summer of 1944, but it nevertheless managed to preserve its 11th century ramparts.
North of Saint Lô we arrive in the marshland area extending from the town of Lessay to the mouth of the Vire and the Bay of Veys. A regional natural park is managed there by the town of Carentan and offers various discovery circuits on foot or by boat.
Going up the east coast after Carentan is Utah Beach and to the north east is the Val de Saire region. Very popular are the towns of St Vaast la Houge and its island of Tatihou, also Barfleur and nearby the Gatteville lighthouse, the second highest lighthouse in Europe.
The city of Cherbourg, in the far north, has the largest artificial harbor in the world, known for its Cité de la Mer located in the old maritime station, and offers various fun workshops, not forgetting an abyssal aquarium and a visit to the submarine "Le Redoutable".
Continuing along the coast, we find at the north-western tip the Cap de la Hague, landscapes of moors and cliffs, ideal places for hiking with its customs paths that run along this coast. There are also the dunes of Biville and its 350 hectares of protected moors. A large part of the coasts of the Hague region now belong to the coastal conservatory, which guarantees their preservation.
The Cotentin is a region of France which has one of the largest number of manors, often discreetly preserved from the view of the curious but also many remains of construction from the Middle Ages period, castles of Gratot, of la Rivière, Saint Sauveur le Vicomte, the Vauban forts of St Vaast la Hougue, etc.
132 Norman manors and castles listed on the site Normandy Tourism
