Manche is a maritime département with 355 kilometres of coastline. But its character is not defined by the sea alone: its landscapes include dunes, cliffs, marshes, heathland, forests and bocage, the hedgerow landscape typical of Normandy. Exploring the area brings visitors into contact with very different natural and cultural experiences.
Discover Landscapes and Routes
There are 35 Espaces Naturels Sensibles (ENS) across the département. Since 1979, the département has worked to preserve these natural areas and open them to the public. Manche’s dune systems are among the most impressive and extensive in France; some of its sea cliffs are among the highest in the country. These two types of landscape show just how varied the coastline is here. Inland, the Roches de Ham offer views over the Vire Valley and its bocage landscape. The cliffs reach a height of 105 metres.
Manche can also be explored on foot and by bike along a variety of routes: greenways and numerous walking, cycling and towpaths cross the département. The cycling network includes 255 kilometres of greenways and 196 kilometres of signposted roads shared by cyclists and other users. Two longer routes offer a different focus. The signposted Véloscénie runs for 450 kilometres between Mont-Saint-Michel and Paris. VéloWestNormandy links the D-Day beaches with Mont-Saint-Michel over 200 kilometres and passes through natural heritage sites. Check route details before setting off.
Abbeys, History and Regional Culture
At Mont-Saint-Michel, a Gothic Benedictine abbey and a fortified village stand together on a rocky island shaped by powerful tides. The abbey was built between the 11th and 16th centuries; in 2015, the maritime character of Mont-Saint-Michel was restored. UNESCO describes the site as a major centre of medieval Christian civilisation. A footbridge and shuttle take visitors from La Caserne to the foot of the Mont.
Other sites offer different ways to explore history. Hambye Abbey is considered one of the most complete surviving medieval monastic ensembles in Normandy. Coutances Cathedral is regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic architecture; guided visits extend into its upper levels. The Azeville Battery, a fortification of the Atlantic Wall, includes trenches and underground passages. It is linked to the Allied objectives of 6 June 1944.
Literature and craftsmanship add to this picture. Jacques Prévert’s house, the poet’s former home, displays a collection of original works. The Ger Ceramics Museum is located on a former production site and focuses on the heritage of pottery and ceramic design. Objects, exhibitions, interactive displays and audiovisual presentations show how the pottery was once used and what daily life was like at the time. The Bay Ecomuseum presents the wildlife and plant life of the Manche estuary and is connected to the GR 223 coastal path.
Tatihou, Island Nature and Waterside Activities
Tatihou brings together natural and cultural heritage. You can reach the island from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue aboard the amphibious boat Tatihou III; the crossing takes approximately five to 15 minutes and may vary depending on conditions. Check departure times before your visit. The walled Lazaret district contains historic buildings, a museum, a marine laboratory, a restaurant and accommodation. Tatihou is a site belonging to the Conservatoire du littoral; camping is prohibited there. Chausey and Tatihou are also protected areas and bird sanctuaries, accessible by boat from ports in Manche.
Nautical and wind-based activities in the département include sand yachting, wingfoiling and surfing. Together with the islands and varied coastal landscapes, they offer different ways to discover Manche on and in the water.
Discover more destinations: Les Veys, Quettreville-Sur-Sienne, Sainte-Geneviève, Quettehou, Agon-Coutainville, Anctoville-Sur-Boscq, Angoville-Sur-Ay, Anneville-Sur-Mer, Argouges, Auderville, Avranches, Bacilly, Barneville-Carteret, Beaubigny, Bellefontaine, 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, Hebecrevon, Helleville, Hocquigny, Isigny-Le-Buat, Kairon, La Glacerie, La Haye-D'ectot, La Haye-Pesnel, Le Ham, Le Mesnil-Rogues, Le Mesnil-Tôve, Le Mesnil-Villeman, Le Val-Saint-Père, Les Moitiers-D'allonne, Lessay, Lestre, Lithaire, Marchésieux, Mobecq, Montebourg, Montmartin-Sur-Mer, Montpinchon, Moon-Sur-Elle, Morsalines, Négreville, Orval, Pierreville, Pirou, Pirou-Plage, Portbail, Quineville, Ravenoville, 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, 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, Saint-Senier-Sous-Avranches, Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue, Sainte-Mère-Église, Sainte-Pience, Sartilly, Siouville, Surtainville, Tamerville, Tocqueville, Treauville, Urville-Nacqueville, Vains, Valcanville, Vaudreville, Vergoncey, Virey, Le Rozel, Ouville, Le Buisson, Le Mesnil, Moulines, Canisy, Carentan, Foucarville, Braffais, Barfleur, Montfarville, Cerisy-La-Salle, Le Mesnil-Hue, La Baleine, Aumeville-Lestre, Liesville-Sur-Douve, Le Mesnil-Amand, Saint-Pierre-Eglise, Monthuchon, 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, Fervaches, Surville, Hambye, Vesly, Acqueville, Blainville Sur Mer, Le Teilleul, Huisnes Sur Mer, Joganville, Le Lorey, Morville, Saint Planchers, Tourlaville, Saint-Lô, Pontorson, Mortain, 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, Gouville-Sur-Mer, Annoville, Octeville-L'avenel, 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, Saint-Symphorien-Des-Monts, 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, Brécey, Beslon, Ponts, Beuvrigny, Saint-Pois, Saint-Quentin-Sur-Le-Homme, La Barre-De-Semilly, Tourville-Sur-Sienne, La Vendelée, 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, Airel, Coulouvray-Boisbenâtre, Juilley, Saint-Pierre-Langers, Picauville, Sourdeval-Les-Bois, Savigny-Le-Vieux, Tirepied, Placy-Montaigu, Ger, 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, Saint-Aubin-De-Terregatte, Chérencé-Le-Roussel, Turqueville, Cherbourg-Octeville, Dragey-Ronthon, Équeurdreville-Hainneville, La Pernelle, 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, Raids, Saint-Louet-Sur-Vire, Tanis, Parigny, Reigneville-Bocage, Couvains, Vengeons, Maupertuis, Moyon, Margueray, Saint-Clément-Rancoudray, Villiers-Fossard, Saint-Michel-De-Montjoie, Servon, Brouains, Beaucoudray, 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, Saint-Aubin-Des-Préaux, Angoville-Au-Plain, Saint-Germain-Le-Gaillard, La Mouche, Saint-Patrice-De-Claids, Le Dézert, Vasteville, Omonville-La-Petite, Montaigu-Les-Bois, La Croix-Avranchin, Blosville, Montgardon, Sotteville, Cretteville, Brucheville, Pont-Hébert, Saint-Denis-Le-Vêtu, Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves, Saint-Fromond, Le Luot, Gouberville, Saint-Samson-de-Bonfossé, Laulne, Quibou, Tollevast, Le Mesnil-Rainfray, Guilberville, Brainville, Ozeville, Montabot, Gourbesville, Montaigu-la-Brisette, Colomby, 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, Canville-la-Rocque, Lengronne, Chaulieu, Sainte-Suzanne-sur-Vire, Les Cresnays, Saint-Clair-sur-l'Elle, Hérenguerville, La Bloutière, Sottevast, Les Loges-Marchis, Le Mesnil-Gilbert, Hauteville-la-Guichard, Beauficel, Saussemesnil, Sainteny, Orglandes, 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, Muneville-sur-Mer, Chavoy, Montsurvent, Baudre, La Meurdraquière, Le Tanu, La Luzerne, Prétot-Sainte-Suzanne, Champcervon, La Ronde-Haye, Vauville, Le Valdécie
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