Apr 22, 2018 - bEyONd ThE sEA sOmEwhERE wAITINg fOR mE. ...... run. The green nature and the herds of animals then give
Destination Magazine # 2
ETERNAL ATTRACTION beyond the sea somewhere waiting for me SPRING OF THE HEROES CULTURAL HERITAGE la manche with your loved one or family
Fort de La Hougue
manche-tourism.com
La Manche magazine
D7 Gavray C6 Gouville-sur-Mer C6 Hauteville-sur-Mer
C9 Genêts 02 33 89 64 00
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C10 Pontorson 02 33 60 20 65
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C9 Mont-Saint-Michel
Villedieu Intercom Tourist Office ot-villedieu.fr
[email protected] 02 33 61 05 69
E7 Open all the year round
02 33 60 14 30 tourisme.lemontsaintmichel@ msm-normandie.fr
F9 Mortain-Bocage 02 33 59 19 74
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Granville Land & Sea Tourist Office tourisme-granville-terre-mer.com
[email protected] 02 33 91 30 03
ETERNAL ATTRACTION
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beyond the sea somewhere waiting for me... 10
Tourist Information Offices open all the year round --------------------------------
D10 Saint-James 02 33 89 62 38
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F8 Sourdeval 02 33 79 35 61
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Al l t h e p h o n e n u m b e r s a r e indicated for calls from France. From abroad, dial 0033 instead of the first digit indicated. Example: to reach 02 33 05 98 70, dial 0033 2 33 05 98 70
CHERBOURG-ENCOTENTIN
Diélette
C7 Bréhal
SPRINGTIME OF HEROES
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when you set off along the road
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cultural heritage
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C7 Granville
la manche with your family
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C8 Jullouville
la manche with your loved one
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C8 Saint-Pair-sur-Mer
there’s lots of seasons!
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La Manche, a feast for the eyes!
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souvenirs made in La Manche
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EVENTS 2018, experience La Manche!
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la manche in short
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practical information
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List of Tourist Offices
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map of La Manche
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Submersible road - Havre de la Vanlée Cover photo: Port Racine - Saint-Germain-des-Vaux
E9 Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët 02 33 79 38 88 tourisme.sthilaireduharcouet@ msm-normandie.fr
C8 Saint-Jean-le-Thomas 02 33 70 90 71 tourisme.saintjeanlethomas@ msm-normandie.fr
C8 Carolles C7 Donville Les Bains
Saint-Côme-du-Mont
Mont Saint-Michel Normandy Tourist Office ot-montsaintmichel.com
Tourist Information Offices open all the year round -------------------------------D9 Avranches 02 33 58 00 22
[email protected] E8 Brécey 02 33 89 21 13
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D7 Ducey-les-Chéris 02 33 60 21 53
[email protected]
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Mont Saint-Michel Bay
La Manche magazine
ETERNAL AT T R A C T I O N Mont Saint-Michel Abbey and the bay represent much more than a religious and tourism landmark. The alchemy between the architectural masterpiece and the majestic beauty of the surrounding nature explain its universal, unique and eternal prestige. It has been illuminating the area for over 1000 years and carries the attraction of La Manche far beyond our borders.
Asking for the moon
T
he bay is one of the most beautiful sights in the world, giving visitors the chance to admire the spectacle of the rising and falling tides. It is a revelation for anyone seeing it for the first time. The landscape lying before you is constantly changing. Every six hours, the water covers or uncovers the vast golden stretch surrounding the Wonder. If you are not in a hurry, take the time to watch this impressive to-andfro, this strange and magical movement
orchestrated by the combined influence of the sun and the moon. The phenomenon of the gravitation of the planets sets up a reciprocal attraction between the celestial bodies. This gives rise to a deformation of the Earth. A kind of breathing process that swells and then contracts the surface. The long "breathing in", then the long "breathing out" causes the sea to continually go back and forth. Sometimes, when the planets are aligned, the terrestrial deformation goes so far that people can enjoy the popular event of the "high tides of Mont Saint-Michel Bay". The amplitude may reach up to 15 metres in height. The sea then seems to come back as fast as a galloping horse. Because the water, coming from all directions, joins together in a kind of natural funnel that multiplies its strength.
Mont Saint-Michel footbridge
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La Manche magazine
Crossing Mont Saint-Michel Bay
the "miquelots" pilgrim trail
H
ow fresh and invigorating these seven kilometres of strand are! If you decide to set out from Vains, the guide will take you to Tombelaine. You begin a long walk, much longer than it seems, towards this impressive rock, which is now a refuge for hundreds of migratory birds from Siberia, Greenland and elsewhere. After going round it, you will set off towards Mont SaintMichel. You'll need to make an effort, but my goodness the reward is superb! Seen from the sand, in the midst of wild and untamed nature, the Archangel's Mount deploys its solid and
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serene stature. Its famous silhouette grows bigger as you draw closer, so your physical effort will not be disappointed. Of course, the stop will be a short one, since you'll need to set off long before the tide covers the pitch sand. You'll even find this blended aroma of sand, clay, shellfish and water in your hair at the end of the trip. You'll return covered in it, tired, but definitely amazed by the power of the site. Of the thousands of annual visitors, some 800 people ask to stay in the sanctuary or to have their official pilgrimage booklet, the "Carnet du Miquelot", stamped.
La Manche magazine
Mont Saint-Michel
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La Manche magazine
The restored cloister of the Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
windows on the heavens
The guest room
T
here is so much to see in and around Mont Saint-Michel that many people come back again and again. This year, the renovated cloister is a good reason for making the trip up again. A chance to revisit a Gothic edifice dating from the 13th century that is internationally unique, standing 80 metres high. The small columns supporting the delicate, sculpted vaults have been cleaned and the landscape garden has been redesigned, helping to make the site even more peaceful and magical. From the vast window, you will see the thousand
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Detail of the cloister
and one gold and silver reflections from the bay, which, like the abbey, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The works have also led to a greater understanding of the highly complex system for collecting rainwater - water that is blessed and used to wash the monks’ feet. The gallery floors have been lowered 17 to 25 cm, and are now similar to the level prior to the 19th century. So, the stones around the gallery can once again be used as seating, like an invitation to contemplation, meditation and suspended time.
La Manche magazine
the bay of legends
A
t Mont Saint-Michel, there are many legends. No matter how credible they may be, the main point is that these extraordinary stories inspire our imagination… According to a 15th century manuscript, the forest of Scissy was covered by flood waters. A particularly violent equinox tide had overwhelmed the centuries-old trees… A wolf befriended the monks and brought them the provisions they needed to survive… And one night in October 708 A.D. the archangel Saint-Michael visited the site, ordering Bishop Aubert to build an oratory at the summit of Mont Tombe. Having doubts about the reality of the apparition, the holy man decided not to carry out the task the archangel had give him. Three times, the angel returned. Still in doubt, Aubert asked for a proof of the apparition. The archangel placed his finger on Aubert's forehead. When he woke up, the bishop had a hollow line imprinted in his head. Since then, the Archangel Saint Michael, the master of the
heavens at the service of God, and depicted as a winged knight overcoming the devil, watches over the famous sanctuary and the salvation of souls, the candidates for heaven…
So, are you ready for the trip? Find out all about the bay, the crossings and tides on the website manche-tourism.com (Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel section)
Visit Mont Saint-Michel
accueilmontsaintmichel.com abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr ot-montsaintmichel.com
See the manuscripts from Mont Saint-Michel to Avranches scriptorial.fr
The Mont Saint-Michel manuscripts, heritage library, Avranches 9
beyond the sea somewhere waiting for me... The cry of seagulls, the sound of boats, the sailing ships setting out to sea, the spluttering of colourful tractors, gusts of wind and the waves lapping all follow the orders of the same "conductor". Here, the sea is in charge! Its continuous ballet sets the tone for local people and tourists, opening the gates to another way of life. The life of a coastland in perpetual movement, 355 kilometres long and beautifully varied.
Nez de Jobourg
La Manche magazine
dunes and havens, havens and dunes
T
here is something here for everyone. On the coast of La Manche, we know how to welcome and surprise visitors. The region's large dune beaches are ideal for lovers of fine sand, while the Normandy peninsula is also well worth a visit. It is full of little pieces of paradise, "pathways to the end of the world" and atypical seaside villages. Like Ravenoville with its not-to-be-missed colourful fishermen's houses or Gouville-sur-Mer and its adorable cabins with their brightly coloured roofs. An ideal picnic spot, as the locals well know. Continuing along the tourist route, you arrive at Pointe d’Agon, a highly poetic sandbank with a wide range of fauna and
Pointe d’Agon
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flora, or make your way through the havens of Regnéville-sur-Mer and La Vanlée, a fount of inspiration for photographers and painters. Right at the top of Val de Saire, Réville offers a breathtaking view over the island of Tatihou, and skies with captivating light. La Hague is a wild gem with steep cliffs covered with exotic vegetation in places and leading you straight to - Ireland. And since the coastland of this strongly maritime region has the happy chance to be neither flat nor straight, there is always the surprise of seeing, wherever you go, a rich sea landscape, sometimes azure blue, sometimes sky blue, navy blue or emerald - or all these colours at the same time.
La Manche magazine
let's get in the water! Surfing in Cotentin
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ea kayak, surfing, diving, rowing, wakeboarding, sand yachting, sailing, sea hiking, kitesurfing, windsurfing… Sailing licences and courses, sailing schools… Fishing, swimming… If you like the sea, you'll never get bored here. La Manche has so much on offer if you want to get in the water - the hardest thing is to choose. All along the coast, you will find surfing spots, special facilities and above all instructors for lessons at all levels. So, naturally, a few "glass half-empty" types will say that the water isn't always there (yes, it does come and go, and this is exactly what shellfish pickers like so much), or worse still,
that the skies are sometimes grey. Rubbish! First of all, in Normandy, the sky never stays grey for long, and second, even when it does rain, we still have fun. A yellow oilskin, a pair of wellingtons, a long walk with your face to the sea spray on the Plat-Gousset Promenade in Granville and you'll come back with rosy cheeks - a sure sign you are in very good health! And if the weather is looking uncertain early in the morning, then why not experience adventure in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, where you can enter the fabulous world of the Cité de la Mer. And in the meantime, the weather will be looking up again!
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La Manche magazine
Port Racine
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin harbour
from the smallest to the biggest
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seaside region is unthinkable without harbours and lighthouses, which are so photogenic and inspire a wish to get away from it all and a taste for extraordinary travels. Here in La Manche, the unusual range in size between the smallest and the biggest will naturally tickle your curiosity. Port Racine, the tiniest port in France, has all the beauty of a precious jewel. The vast manmade harbour of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the biggest in Europe, conveys the power of truly ingenious architecture. Barfleur and SaintVaast-la-Hougue are the kind of small fishing ports that everyone loves, so welcoming and 14
Pointe de Goury
full of life. The Carentan-les-Marais marina is highly unusual since it is inland! Carteret and Granville give protection both to trawling nets and sailing boats. Portbail and Regnéville are real havens of peace for the hulls of ships at anchor. And to protect all this maritime heritage and to light the way, 25 lighthouses have been set up along the coast. Gatteville, not to be missed for the height and beauty of its location, will lead you up 365 steps! Goury is more humble, and yet it bravely faces the attacks from the famous Raz Blanchard. As for the red beacon in the Portbail channel, it stands a proud seven metres high!
La Manche magazine
PEOPLE OF THE SEA
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hat would this region be without its seafarers? Fishermen, oyster farmers and shellfish farmers work long hours and face nature's challenges to delight our taste-buds with fish and seafood. Here you will always find something tasty if you are looking for fresh produce. In the restaurants, on the market stalls and on the fish market quays… scallops, mussels, sea bass, oysters, lobsters and shrimps… delicious! Each year in September the "All the sea on a plate" event is organised in Granville. Two days of festivities organised by the sea professionals from the number one shellfish fishing port in France. During your stay, you can also give in to the temptation of a surprising guided outing along the foreshore in a hippomobile. Tasting oysters in the middle of the oyster parks is a sheer delight.
So, are you ready for the trip? See all the sites to visit and activities to enjoy on the coast on manche-tourism.com (Places to visit and At the seaside sections)
Marinas on
manche-tourism.com (Harbours and marinas in Normandy section)
and in the tourist offices (list on page 50)
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SPRING OF THE H E RO E S In all human history, there has never been such a massive armada as the one deployed for the Normandy landings in June 1944. By air and sea, thousands of planes and ships landed on the Normandy coast with the aim of putting an end to five years of horrific international warfare. The department of La Manche was a major witness of this fight for freedom and has fervently preserved the memory of the heroic liberators.
D-Day commemorations in Sainte-Mère-Église
La Manche magazine
6 JUNE 1944
E
arly in the morning, at exactly 6.30, and after a long, rough crossing, the first warships reached the coast of La Manche, at Utah Beach. Close by, in SainteMère-Eglise, the airborne divisions began to drop their parachutists on a marshy stretch of land that they were totally unfamiliar with. This strategy, involving incredibly precise coordination of all the countries fighting for freedom, took months and even years of preparation. In La Manche, hopes had long been raised by rumours of the landings. "They're planning something", you might hear in the countryside, but then
nothing happened… The events of 6 June 1944 took the inhabitants by surprise. The enemy, on the lookout from their bunkers, could not believe their eyes. Through their binoculars, the silhouette of a gigantic armada filled the horizon. At the same moment, in a sky where dawn was breaking, the recognisable hum of hundreds of B52 bombers meant that no doubt was possible... The famous "D-Day" had arrived. To understand the events on this unique day, a large number of sites re-enact and recount the incredible human and military achievement.
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La Manche magazine
ON THE WAY TO VICTORY
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t took 70 days for the Allies to liberate the occupied areas in La Manche. Although the landings on La Manche coast proved to be less deadly than feared, the advance of troops on the ground was beset with a large number of difficulties, including bad weather, which turned the land into muddy fields, and fierce resistance from the enemy. Many brothers-in-arms lost their lives during the Bataille des Haies in the regions near La Haye, Saint-Lô, Carentan, Sainteny and Périers. The morale of the US soldiers was affected during this war of attrition, leading to the Normandy countryside being nicknamed Hedgerow Hell. On 17 July 1944, the battalion of Major Thomas D. Howie arrived with reinforcements and took Saint-Lô, the capital in ruins. The major was later mortally wounded by shellfire. At the end of July, Operation Cobra, followed by the hard-fought Percée d’Avranches opened the way towards Brittany. The port of Cherbourg, a logistical support for human and material supplies, was recaptured on 26 June, but only after several days of fighting, including the terrible battle of Fort du Roule.
The war of the hedgerows, the GI’s nightmare
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Utah Beach
The department of La Manche will be forever linked to this gigantic allied military action. The Voie de la Liberté (Route to Freedom) is a historic trail commemorating the Liberation. You can follow it from the 0 and 00 kilometer markers in Sainte-Mère-Église and Utah Beach.
La Manche magazine
LIVING MEMORIES
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n La Manche, the memory of the D-Day landings is kept alive with strength and conviction. A powerful homage is paid to the magnificent heroes who died in the fighting or survived to become worthy veterans. The celebration of D-Day and
the Liberation is an occasion each year for festive gatherings recalling the popular jubilation that followed the victory. From late spring and all through the summer, a wide range of commemorations, festivities and period dances are organised by local authorities and enthusiastic associations. So, when you are on holiday, don't be surprised if you come across an army Jeep, an American GMC truck or a half-track. But you should note that the passengers dressed in the original uniforms are getting together to celebrate peace, too. During the events commemorating D-Day, reconciliation, solidarity and friendship between all nations are highlighted. Brothers-in-arms fell on both sides, very often on the threshold of youth, although all they wanted was to live. They went to war, but how many of them really wanted to fight their fellow men? 19
La Manche magazine
A duty of remembrance, "celebrating new-found peace..."
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La Manche magazine
Saint-James US military cemetery
a duty for humanity
“t
he D-Day landings beaches, Normandy, 1944” soon listed by UNESCO as World Heritage sites? The candidature stems from a wish made by many inhabitants of Normandy. They are seeking international recognition for this unique historical episode as a duty of remembrance, a duty for humanity. On 6 June 1944, 23,250 US soldiers and 1,742 vehicles landed on Utah Beach. 197 men, most of whom were very young, lost their lives on this huge sandy beach, which was totally unknown to them and lay at the other end of the world. The battles taking place in La Manche region until late August 1944 were just as deadly. 4,410 US soldiers were laid to rest in the Montjoie-Saint-Martin cemetery, about two kilometres from Saint-James. Men who fell during the hard-fought battles around SaintLô, Mortain and in La Percée d’Avranches. Bearing witness to the eternal recognition of France, the land here has been given in
perpetuity to the US government. A visit to this site of silence and remembrance leaves no one indifferent. The 14 perfectly maintained hectares, the moving sight of lines of thousands of white crosses impose respect and recall that Peace and Freedom are linked to the solidarity of peoples.
So, are you ready for the trip? See all the sights and accommodation near the D-Day beaches and the visits to enjoy with your family on the website manche-tourism.com (D-Day in Normandy section)
or
try the Musée à Ciel Ouvert experience: a 50 km trail guided by a touchscreen tablet, to explore the key sites of the D-Day landings, starting from the tourist office in Sainte-Mère-Église 21
La Manche magazine
when you set off along the road When you set off along the road… In La Manche, hiking means freedom! Is it because nature here is untamed, because there are only towns and villages on a human scale, because it is almost an island… Whatever the truth of the matter, whether on a bike or on horseback, you will definitely see things differently when you take the time to travel along 1001 out-of-the-way routes. This is a chance to explore breathtaking architectural treasures, panoramas and landscapes. The region has a wide range of activities from simple excursions to a 100% nature trek.
one more step towards...
…t
he famous GR223®, usually known as the "Sentier des douaniers" (Customs Officers Path)! From Veys Bay, you can make your way to Mont Saint-Michel Bay along all the coast of the peninsula. A coastal path that is 430 kilometres long. And what a path! Of course, you can cover this unusual route in sections, but doing the whole thing over several days is really worth it. It features a series of sea landscapes that are all different, small roads, country lanes, steep, flat and coastal paths, and even hilly sections worthy of mountain regions. The GR223® is a trail combining health benefits, endurance and pleasure for the eyes at each
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step. No interesting viewpoint is left out, and you feel like you are heading for the ends of the earth. The peninsula of La Hougue, the Gatteville Lighthouse, Port Racine, Nez de Jobourg, Cap de Carteret, Pointe d’Agon, Bec d’Andaine… This poetic list, with all the photogenic panoramas you could ever wish for, is very far from complete. And for even more thrills and alchemy with this exceptional nature and heritage, a great coastal trek around the Cotentin Peninsula is now on offer. Fifteen days of hiking and ideal for stocking up on strong sensations. The last invitation, but not the least: a large number of signposted trails in La Manche are a chance to enjoy culinary arts that are rich in local specialities and featuring locally caught seafood, livestock, vegetable and dairy farming. Delicious!
La Manche magazine
The GR 223® – coastal path 23
La Manche magazine
The Véloscénie in Ducey-Les Chéris
on your bike
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t's well known that La Manche is an ideal region for cycling fans. Many of them love this destination, which gives a new dynamism both to your legs and your mind. At the head of the "peloton" is the Véloscénie, the flagship cycling trail. 450 kilometres and a great deal of cycling pleasure between two magnificent monuments to French heritage: Notre-Dame in Paris and Mont Saint-Michel. Twenty-five stages (with five in La Manche) and several sites listed as part of the World's Heritage by Unesco along the way. A total change of scene for a week combining sections on the road and along cycling lanes, attracting more and more fans. The cycling route from the D-Day Landings beaches to
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Mont Saint-Michel pays homage to the brave soldiers who landed on our shores in 1944 and takes you to Utah-Beach, Port en Bessin or Arromanches, the landmarks of "D-Day". Another historic trail, between Tatihou and Mont Saint-Michel, puts these wonderful UNESCO heritage sites in the spotlight. It is reserved for mountain-bikers, calling on your curiosity and sporting energy. And if there is still something left in the old legs, you can prolong the adventure as far as England during the Tour de Manche, some 1,200 kilometres long. This is a cycling route crossing Brittany, part of Normandy and then heading by boat to the counties of Dorset and Devon!
La Manche magazine
at a trot
L
a Manche is a horse-loving region, too. Horses have been a friend to mankind since - forever! In the saddle, you can make for a totally original destination: La Route des Abbayes (The Abbey Route). Cerisy-la-Forêt, La Lucerne, Hambye, Mont Saint-Michel, the jewels of religious art will lead you through green valleys and hilltop trails! The Roches de Ham ("Ham Rocks") plunge down towards the Vire valley, unveiling
a dizzying view. And don't miss a visit to the Haras National de Saint-Lô stud farm. For the grande finale, the guided crossing of Mont Saint-Michel Bay on horseback will bring you unforgettable memories. Here, we go out of our way to welcome riders and horses in the very best conditions. Stables, stud farms, specialised vets, blacksmith farriers and, above all, lovers of horses can be found throughout the region.
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La Manche magazine
the perfect hiker's guide to la manche Pointe de Goury
P
lease remember that real hiking in La Manche should not be left to chance. You need to come fully equipped, just as if you were going to tackle a trail in Corsica or Ireland. And in fact, although the temperature is a few degrees higher or lower, the island-like nature, the hills and landscapes bring them to mind in many ways.
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A wide range of brochures, guides and maps are published each year by the department, giving information about the perfect hiker's equipment, whether you are on foot, on a bike or on horseback. La Manche is an untamed, protected and preserved region. Here, mankind must adapt to and respect nature, and not the opposite.
La Manche magazine
So, are you ready for the trip? See all the information, maps and practical guides to the major hiking trails on the website manche-tourism.com (Walks, rambles and rides section)
At La Manche tourist offices (see list p. 50) you can get practical guides for your excursions on foot, by bike or on horseback with your family in the local area.
The GR 223 ®, the simple way to plan your trek! It is 446 km long and runs from Carentan to Mont Saint-Michel. To enjoy your trek in ideal conditions, here are a few highly practical tips. [ Choose the stages See all the trail, stage by stage, on: manche-tourism.com/gr223-coastal-path [ Travel light In partnership with local taxi and transport companies, La Malle Postale provides new services for the GR® 223: we can transport your luggage, organise shuttles or car-pooling so that you can travel light with complete peace of mind: lamallepostale.com [ Find your accommodation See our accommodation partners - hotels, guest rooms, holiday homes and campsites on: manche-tourism.com/accomodation-gr223
The Fosse-Arthour rocks
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La Manche magazine
cultural heritage Luckily, although time goes by, with revolutions and, more recently, the air raids of 1944, the major architectural heritage left behind by our ancestors has not been completely destroyed. Sites not to be missed, filled with the work of great minds, and with some helping to foster real cultural dynamism.
Fort de La Hougue 28
La Manche magazine
Cerisy-la-Forêt Abbey
corner stones
C
orner stones are, by definition, crucial elements. They guarantee the building's solidity. But in this particular case, the meaning is more metaphoric. La Manche has a large number of monumental treasures, carved decors and typical villages. During your visits, you can find out about local building techniques and some surprising places like no other. Castles, manors, houses, abbeys, cathedrals, towers, lighthouses and stained-glass windows provide a rich historic heritage that is a cornerstone handed down to posterity. Lovers of old stone and historic riches will be thrilled by the monumental beauty of the abbeys of Cerisy-la-Forêt, La Lucerne-d’Outremer, Lessay and Hambye, by the power of Coutances Cathedral, the longevity of Carentan Church, by the beauty of the castles of Canisy, Montgommery, Pirou, Gratot, Chanteloup, Briquebec and Dur Ecu… by the villages of Barfleur, Portbail,
Omonville-la-Rogue… or the historic centre of Valognes. The complete list would be too long, since there are so many things to see inland and on the coasts of this resolutely unique region, La Manche. Welcome to a land of Art and History.
Bricquebec Castle
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La Manche magazine
Island of Tatihou
listed heritage
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s of 31 December 2011, La Manche had 470 buildings that are protected as historic monuments, with 168
Granville Carnival
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fully listed and 302 registered. The region also has three UNESCO World Heritage sites. Mont Saint-Michel, the "Wonder of the Western World", and the bay are among the most visited exceptional sites in France, in third place after the Eiffel Tower and the Château de Versailles. This major pilgrimage site attracts some 2.5 million people each year. At the other end of the department, on the east coast of Val de Saire, the two Hougue and Tatihou towers, the work of Vauban, Louis XIV's military architect, also won international recognition in 2008. With one on the continent and the other on an island, the towers stand tall in a wonderfully romantic seaside setting, far removed from their original purpose of protecting the harbour from enemy attack. You can get to the island of Tatihou on foot at low tide or in an amphibious vehicle. A charm-filled adventure that will take you even further away if by chance your stay is scheduled in August during the Tatihou "off-shore" music festival. In the depth of winter, in February, the Granville Carnival, which has recently been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, will also carry you away in a whirlwind of happiness. The floats and costumed parades in the Privateer City attract over 100,000 visitors each year.
La Manche magazine
cultural gardeners Dior Museum - Granville
O
f course, La Manche is not the only place that can take pride in its illustrious “locals” and famous adopted children! But, even so, it has to be said that these famous native or adopted Manche inhabitants do give rise to a feeling of pride… Jean-François Millet, born in Gruchy, a village near Gréville-Hague, painted with realism and power rural and farming scenes including the world-famous The Gleaners and The Angelus, today exhibited in the Orsay Museum in Paris. The house where he was born has been restored and is open to visitors, evoking the childhood and background of the painter. Another celebrity and major local name is Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly, an exceptional writer, dandy and regular polemicist. In the highly romantic
village of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, he took inspiration from the strange atmosphere of the nearby marshes, leading him to write short stories and literary masterpieces, such as his great work Les Diaboliques. His native town and the enigmatic nature all around are well worth a visit. As for the magic of words, it is embodied in the poets’ poet, Jacques Prévert. The man in the cap spent the last seven years of his life in a beautiful house in Omonville-laPetite, quite typical of the region, at the heart of a green setting and with a breathtaking view of the sea. And many others beside - whether born, living in or visiting our unforgettable coasts: Alexis de Tocqueville, Christian Dior, Jacques Gamblin, Jean-Luc Petitrenault, Stéphane Marie…
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La Manche magazine
the wind in your sails
I
t would be a sacrilege to look at the theme of the cultural riches and heritage of La Manche without mentioning the sea, and more precisely, its best-known boats. You will definitely get the chance to glimpse them off the coast of Granville. The Lys Noir, a wonderful yacht dating from 1914, with its elegant 24.5-metre silhouette, welcomes up to twenty-three passengers on board. The Charles Marie, built in 1968, is a former trawler that has been transformed into a two-master with a lugsail. Its magnificent 55m2 bridge is available to passengers wishing to sail to the Chausey archipelago. As for the legendary Marité, the last survivor of the French "terreneuviers" fishing ships, after being completely restored in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, it now spends its time out at sea or moored in its home port of Granville. This gem of the French fleet and its little village welcomes visitors at the foot of a very pretty shipbuilding town perched on a rock with a rich seafaring past.
Pointe du Roc - Granville
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So, are you ready for the trip? See all the information about visiting the sights and venues on the website manche-tourism.com (Places to visit section)
The UNESCO World Heritage sites, the regions of Art and History, the Arts and Crafts towns on the website manche-tourism.com (Heritage section)
The rich and varied natural heritage in La Manche on manche-tourism.com (Wild and protected landscapes section)
La Manche magazine
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A trip outside time in the archipelago of the Chausey islands" Chausey islands 33
La Manche magazine
LA MANCHE
with your family
La Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg-en -Cotentin A visit to the submarine, the Redoutable, getting up close to some famous underwater exploration vehicles, an incredible deep-sea aquarium, a chance to walk under the sea and to relive the Titanic's Atlantic crossing!
Get access to all the Family Plus resort services Three seaside resorts, Agon-Coutainville, Barneville-Carteret, Hautevillesur-Mer and one "green" resort, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, have the "Family Plus" label. A wide range of facilities and activities on offer for all ages: manual workshops, marbles competitions, whodunit investigations, sand-yachting and skimboarding for beginners, and much else besides! manche-tourism.com/family-plus-label See the list of tourist offices page 50
citedelamer.com
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Family adventure
On foot, by bike, in a canoe...
Looking for fun activities for all the family? Get to know the wide range of leisure parks in La Manche: zoos and safari parks for an encounter with wild animals, as well as adventure parks, zip-lines, laser games, etc. for all great adventurers!
On foot, by bike and even in a canoe, at your own pace, explore our selection of outings all over La Manche. Choose your trail, depending on how you want to get around, your schedule, the distance and level of difficulty, then set off in total freedom.
manche-tourism.com/families-in-normandy
Trail guides are available from the tourist offices. See the list of tourist offices page 50
La Manche magazine
LA MANCHE
for two
Thalassotherapy
Dinner for two
Enter a wellness bubble with your loved one at a spa in La Manche and enjoy relaxing moments of affinity as you look out to sea. If you want to relax, get back into shape or just enjoy some cocooning, a wide range of spas and wellness centres are on offer with a sauna, hamam, swimming pool and jacuzzis - the choice is yours!
What could be better than sharing an intimate gourmet experience in a restaurant? The Normandy way of life is also bound up with our gastronomy! A whole host of produce from our orchards, gardens and the sea have forged our heritage and the great riches of our cuisine. There are lots of restaurants, inns and cafés in La Manche, for the great pleasure of your taste-buds.
manche-tourism.com/spa-normandy
manche-tourism.com/eating-out
Château life Want to get away with your loved one? Experience "château life" for a weekend in one of the many manor houses, châteaux or charming residences in La Manche. gites-de-france-manche.com/ locations-de-vacances-dexception.html
Work on your swing
A night out for two
In La Manche golfers will find courses blending the land and the sea, the guarantee of great technical challenges and extraordinary panoramas! Granville has one of the most attractive golf courses in the region. The 27-hole course leads across wild dunes, making it one of the most famous links in France.
La Manche has a whole host of contemporary music, jazz or classical music festivals, and is also a region where theatre, cinema, exhibitions and events of all kinds flourish. In summer, of course, but all through the year too, the cultural programme is rich in discoveries to share with your loved one.
manche-tourism.com/golfs-normandy
manche-tourism.com/show-in-normandy See the list of events in 2018, page 46
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there's lots of seasons! It's great when you can see the change in seasons! You can see nature flourishing - the red leaves of autumn, the green shoots of spring, the keen light of winter and the golden brown tans of summer... You can enjoy the changing landscapes, the vegetables on market stalls, mushroom picking and shrimp collecting on the beach. With all the colours of the rainbow… they will be a vital part of your day!
Château d’Agneaux 36
La Manche magazine
all white or all green
"i
t's all one or the other", as we say in these parts. They are either "all white" or they are "all green". Depending on the season, the Cotentin and Bessin marshlands change colours. Out of the 145,000 hectares of total surface area, 30,000 are in potential floodrisk areas. In periods of winter flooding, the sea water and rain together cover the summer meadows, where the cows graze and the horses run. The green nature and the herds of animals then give way to a vast "white" stretch of water, where the blue sky and the dance of the clouds are reflected. The spectacle is supernatural in beauty and is well worth seeing. All along the
winter truce, the park becomes the home of thousands of migrating birds, connoisseurs of the regional ecosystem's benefits. Five rivers nourish the marshes in three national nature reserves. In Saint-Côme-du-Mont, the Park House and the Sensitive Nature Area of Les Ponts d’Ouve welcome visitors and offer discovery outings on foot or by boat, and encourage visitors to come back again and again! Locals love the annual visit from the migratory birds. For the pleasure of seeing the landscapes changing and because they know how much this period helps in fertilising the soils.
The Customs Officers' Trail in La Hague
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La Manche magazine
from land or sea, the ingredients are all seasonal!
I
n our towns and villages, it is still true to speak of "market squares". The market stalls filled with seasonal produce can be found in their hundreds from north to south in the region. From agriculture, livestock farming, local dairy producers, from the coast, from the sea - there is no lack of culinary riches to fill your baskets and your plates. But of course, freshness means respecting the natural cycle of things. Many restaurant owners, keen to give pride of place to local distribution channels, know this very well. While spinach, leeks and carrots are available almost all the year round, the same is not true of endives and asparagus. Fruits, too, can only be found in certain seasons. The "cider-apple" pickers will confirm it. Everything has its own season and for them the season is September! And what about seafood? You can enjoy it outside the festive season, too! Scallops, lobster, oysters and other delicacies from the sea can be found well before and long after Christmas and New Year. The fruit of the sea is well known for being good for your health! In any case, in La Manche, a love of good food is no sin at any time of year.
The Ham Rocks - Brectouville 38
La Manche magazine
Carneville heaths
The magic of contrasts
A
day of calm sea - a sea of foam the next day. La Manche offers visitors rich contrasts. The Marsh Park does the same. Six months under water, six months of land. In La Hague, winter and spring, the skies display their immaculate blues or are dressed in storm grey. In a single day, Mont Saint-Michel is surrounded by a sea filled with golden reflections or a silver sand desert. There's no time to get bored. In autumn, on the beach of AgonCoutainville, the sailors' beanies, the yellow oilskins and wellington boots replace the straw boaters, swimsuits and espadrilles. On café terraces, Cherbourg deploys its parasols or sells its umbrellas. During the year, the châteaux parks and gardens go from light pastel colours to flamboyant red. Under the effects of sunlight, above the brown cliffs of Champeaux, fields coloured British racing green turn yellow and fuchsia. As the seasons go by or for just 24 hours, the landscapes of the Cotentin Peninsula are radically transformed. This is also the
source of the photogenic attractions of an area combining the land and the sea, with its capacity to display continually changing light and colours, worthy of the most beautiful film sets.
So, are you ready for the trip? see all the information about the Regional Nature Parks and natural heritage in La Manche: M arais du Cotentin and Bessin Regional Nature Park parc-cotentin-bessin.fr/
Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park parc-naturel-normandie-maine.fr
The rich and varied natural heritage in La Manche on manche-tourism.com (Wild and protected landscapes section)
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La Manche magazine
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La Manche magazine
La Manche, a feast for the eyes! Carte blanche for Dominique Hutin Where does Camembert grow? How do you pick lobsters? Where can you fish for apples? Free your eyes, open your mouth! From gastronomic landscapes to gourmet impressions, your visits will whet your appetite.
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La Manche magazine
Wood lan
Seafood
d
The sun whitens the eastern varieties, and gives a copper colour to varieties in the west. During the high tides in Europe, the "tables" of Normandy oysters line the landscape as the sea draws back and the foreshore is unveiled. From improvised tastings to inspired recipes, our oysters bring life to the seafood plateau with wild or bouchot mussels.
Raw milk
Touch, feel and taste
uce d o r p y r Dai
Tender gra ss
O
ne day queen of the meadow, the next, meadowsweet. For Normandy AOP Camembert - made with raw milk! - the Normande cow is the crème de la crème. Young, tender or baked in the fireplace? Why choose? In 365 days, you can make use of all your talent to invent goats' cheese recipes. Cheese!
Touch, feel and taste
Beaches
Sea-f o
am
Pearl
Val de Sienne dairy (Gavray) Réaux dairy (Lessay)
Tides
Seafood (Blainville-sur-Mer) Barfleur and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (Ports)
p
Delicate
Salt meadow shee
"When nature is fine, so is the grazing". With Mont Saint-Michel Bay and the western coastal havens as their playground, the region's lambs (often served with crusted salt) graze specific flora covered by the tide. Don't be sheepish - ask for locally stamped lamb.
rs Subme
42
ible
Touch, feel and taste
The centuries-old Lessay fair (September) Salt-crusted lamb festival in Courtils (July)
La Manche magazine
Apples and cider
Bubb
les
Virtuous
Natural
When it's time for the aperitif, a pancake, a dish of oysters or a "fried saddle of lamb with hay-smoked celeriac", Cotentin AOC cider is the king of the Happy Hour! Non-carbonated or pasteurized. To the south, in the Mortain region, the Domfront AOC pear cider sparkles. Two AOC (protected designation of origin ) drinks to add pep to France's top woodland region. Pop Culture!
Touch, feel and taste
Special events at the Pear Cider Museum (Barenton) Les Pipelettes, Cider and Tea Bar (Coutances)
Vegetables
Soil
In the "mielles" (sandy plains), sheltered by the dunes, the sweet and crunchy Créances carrot grows. "An orange vegetable with the Red Label, I'm green with envy." Even the leek, its neighbour, thinks that carrot tops are the top… Further north, head for Val de Saire, the perfect setting for your "5 a Day".
Touch, feel and taste
Colours Fibres
Carentan market (Monday) Special events on Saint-Ursin farm (organic)
let's walk! To really get your teeth into a region, head for the market. To liven up the Sunday brunch, head for the market. To cock a snook at the rain, head for the market. To find your daily inspiration, head for the market. To chat, smell and look, head for the market. For healthy eating, head for the market. For short distribution channels, head for the market. To treat yourself to the best, head for the market.
Let's go to the market. Dominique Hutin
"A glass of wine is more than wine in a glass" - Dominique Hutin is an author, journalist and consultant in the world of wine and gastronomy (France Inter, 12°5, Cuisine TV, Guide du Fooding, etc.). As a purebred Norman, he is a cider buff. Alcohol can be dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.
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Souvenirs made in
LA MANCHE Are you on holiday and want to take back a little souvenir, a local speciality, a typical product from Normandy? We have selected 10 ideas for "Made in La Manche" products. Take a look at out tips for nice, up-to-date gifts created in La Manche! As a present or to take home with you - make your Normandy stay last a little bit longer!
Teas and herbal teas
Trout rillettes
Manfolium Mont Saint-Michel Bay
La Maison Saint-Lô Saint-Sauveur-Lendelin Since 1985, at the heart of the Normandy countryside, La Maison Saint-Lô has been raising its own trout. The fish are then caught, filleted, salted and smoked or cooked on site - explaining their unrivalled flavour... After strict selection of the raw materials, this specialist also prepares other fish and seafood from our coastal waters. Everything is done by hand! maisonsaintlo.fr
In just 3 years, Manfolium teas have become a goto local speciality in La Manche. The taste quality and attractive packaging are a big hit with a wide range of clients. You'll find them in fine-food stores, organic shops or directly on site during your summer visits! manfolium.com
Biscuits
A hand-embroidered gem Since 2009, the designers Marie Macon and Anne-Laure Lesquoy have been making collections of accessories, putting to new use the processes of embroidery, and imagining small gems that can be used to repair pullovers and other muchloved items, as well as rounding off outfits in style. Sharing their time between Paris and Granville, Macon & Lesquoy create offthe-wall accessories for all seasons - always elegant and subtly blending daring and humour.
A master pastry chef since 1986, Alain Mélique and his wife make traditional cakes and biscuits using local ingredients: Financiers, Boutons de la Manche, Petits Beurres du Bocage, Croquets Calvados, Coquilles de Quinéville, Croquentins… and much else besides, delighting and enchanting gourmets with the local cake names and unforgettable flavours.
www.maconetlesquoy.com
biscuiterie-quineville.com
"Macon & Lesquoy" Granville
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from the Biscuiterie de Quinéville
La Manche magazine
Caramels
by Cara-Meuh! Vains
Cotentin AOC cider
La Manche in a Pouch!
The producers of Cotentin Cider* strive to preserve their local skills and farms to create a high-quality product. Its character and balance of flavours are mainly obtained using a selection of local varieties. With 100% pure apple juice and naturally sparkling, Cotentin Cider* is not pasteurised. This is a cider like no other - full-bodied, with the bitter flavours prevailing over the sweetness. Cotentin Cider* is also available as Extra Dry.
At Les Sabots d’Eugénie, we focus on values, manufacturing methods and creativity, offering "Pouches" containing the best of local specialities, all made in Normandy! 8 themes are on offer: sweet, savoury, apertif, regional, wellness, coffee break, dinner, sea.... They are made of fabric or wood and are called Poucs’ in homage to the word for 'pouch' in the Normandy dialect!
cidrecotentin.fr
lessabotsdeugenie.fr
Les Sabots d’Eugénie Saint-Lô
*Alcohol can be dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.
The Cara-Meuh farm is the story of a family who decided to fight back when faced with the dairy crisis of 2009 by making the milk from the Normande cows into soft caramels. At the heart of Mont Saint-Michel Bay, the family shares their skills with visitors, from the production activity in the organic farm to the manufacture and tasting of their Cara-Meuh caramels. These little sweets will delight your taste buds! cara-meuh.com
A pullover
La Tricoterie du Val de Saire Valcanville At the Maison Val de Saire, with the "living heritage company" label, we have been designing and manufacturing top-quality woollen garments at the heart of Cotentin since 1979. We are proud of our "French-style" skills and provide chic and contemporary readyto-wear collections. valdesaire-france.com
The real umbrella of Cherbourg Cherbourg-en-Cotentin It was born in Cherbourg and is made there. Quality, safety and authenticity are the hallmarks of these great gifts! Car Racing, Anti-Gusts, Milady... There is a wide range. Just choose the one that suits you best. parapluiedecherbourg.com
A Manche Box
The "made in Normandy" gift 8 gift sets from €29 to €159 to choose from: a cruise to the islands, a flight in a microlight, a night in a teepee, a relaxing spa experience or a dinner for two… Over 250 ideas for stays or activities in La Manche as a gift or to treat yourself! manchetourisme.com/lamanchebox Also available from La Manche tourist offices
J
For many more gift ideas, visit
boutique.maviedanslamanche.fr 45
La Manche magazine
EVENTS 2018:
experience LA MANCHE! Information updated on 5 December 2017 from information provided by the event organisers.
ALL THROUGH THE YEAR Fairs and markets a tradition in La Manche
La Manche has almost 200 traditional fairs and markets. Six fairs, some of them centuries-old, attract several thousand visitors each year. Every week, many towns have their own markets. On the menu: tastings and encounters with local farmers in a convivial atmosphere! The towns of Saint-Lô and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin are the home of the biggest Saturday markets with over 150 market stalls.
FEBRUARY # Granville Carnival
From 9 to 13 February 2018
30 years after its opening, the Christian Dior Museum recounts the history of this childhood home, so dear to Christian Dior, and introduces a hautecouture collection that has been built up over time. :musee-dior-granville.com
# Papillons de Nuit Festival #18 Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves
# Franco–British Plant Days Château de Crosville-sur-Douve
# Run in Mont Saint-Michel
21 and 22 April 2018 Already in its 21st year and now with over 60 exhibitors in the courtyard and all around the château. :chateaucrosville.org
MAY # Jazz Under the Apple Trees Coutances A Normandy institution for the past 144 years and now listed by UNESCO as part of humanity's Intangible Cultural Heritage. :carnaval-de-granville.fr
APRIL # Exhibition "The treasures from a collection, 30 years of acquisitions" Christian Dior Museum in Granville
From 7 April 2018 to 6 January 2019
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From 5 to 12 May 2018 Each year in Coutances, the festival offers "jazz for all" (jazz, blues, soul, funk, latin-jazz, electro, gospel, klezmer, swing, etc.). :jazzsouslespommiers.com
From 18 to 20 May 2018 P2N is a festival celebrating music of all styles and for all audiences over three festive days. :papillonsdenuit.com
(Mont Saint-Michel Bay marathon) 26 and 27 May 2018 A wonderful bay, a spectacular route and all leading towards the exceptional Mont Saint-Michel. :runinmontsaintmichel.com
JUNE
# 74th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings
Around 6 June 2018 Each year, ceremonies, reconstitutions of US military camps, historic marches, military memorabilia markets, historic parachute jumps, exhibitions and parades of army vehicles are organised all through the commemorations in an atmosphere celebrating the liberation. :ot-baieducotentin.fr/d-day-1944/
# 8th Mont Saint-Michel Bay Hike.
14 to 17 June 2018 Outings on foot, on horseback, on mountain bikes or road bikes around Mont Saint-Michel Bay. :randobaie-mont-saint-michel.fr
La Manche magazine
JULY # Mont Saint-Michel Abbey Nocturnes
July and August 2018 Every evening except Sunday, nocturnal visit to the abbey (new staging). :abbaye-mont-saint-michel.fr
Three years of existence and almost 20,000 festival-goers in two days from all over La Manche and all the west of France to see the shows and take part in the board-sport demonstrations, all for free! :glissfestival.fr
AUGUST # Festival Jazz en Baie
From 25 July to 5 August 2018 A jazz and improvised music festival, Jazz en Baie is an event combining tourism, music and local heritage. :jazzenbaie.com
# VIA AETERNA Festival
September 2018 Mont Saint-Michel and Bay Music Festival. Pianists, cellists, chamber music ensembles and choirs… a unique occasion to explore a rich selection of some of the most talented artists in the music scene. :via-aeterna.com
# Shellfish and Seafood Festival - All the sea on a plateGranville fishing port and fish market 29 and 30 September 2018
# Normandy Horse Show Saint-Lô # Festival of street art "Sorties de Bain" Granville
From 5 to 8 July 2018 The street art festival opens the season in Granville with over 50 live shows. :sortiesdebain.com
From 3 to 18 August 2018 The major horse-riding event of the year. Sport, horse breeding and entertainment for a great time with your family. :normandiehorseshow.com
# Tour de France à la Voile stage Barneville-Carteret
12 and 13 July 2018 Barneville-Carteret, a stage host for the first time, welcomes this coastal sailing race that can be seen from the beaches and headlands. :tourvoile.fr
# Les Heures Musicales Festival at Lessay Abbey
From 24 July to 17 August 2018 For 80 years now, "Les Heures Musicales" festival has been hosting the world's finest Baroque ensembles in the enchanting setting of the Romanesque Lessay Abbey. :heuresmusicalesdelessay.com
# Gliss’ Festival Barneville–Carteret
21 and 22 July 2018
# Festival "Les Traversées Tatihou Off-Shore Music" Tatihou Island, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Val de Saire
From 6 to 15 August 2018 An original festival with traditional and world music, and linked to the high tides. You cross the foreshore to reach the island where the concerts take place. :culture.manche.fr
SEPTEMBER # La Sainte Croix Fair Lessay
From 7 to 9 September 2018 The biggest fair in Normandy. A centuries-old institution with traditional sale of horses, markets, agricultural material, roast-meat sellers - "here you can find everything! " :lessay.fr/foire-sainte-croix/lessaymanche.htm
A great popular, festive and educational event exploring the diversity of the professions and produce of the sea, and the region's gastronomic riches. :ports.granville.cci.fr
OCTOBER # "Eat your Soup!" Festival " Carentan
From 19 to 21 October 2018 A multidisciplinary festival focusing on the environment, health, solidarity, conviviality and ecological responsibility. :mangetasoupe.eu
NOVEMBER # Les Rendez-Vous Soniques Festival Saint-Lô
From 7 to 11 November 2018 The autumn festival "Les Rendez-Vous Soniques" provides a high-quality and eclectic programme featuring headline artists alongside new and regional talents. :lesrendezvousoniques.com 47
La Manche magazine
LA MANCHE in short Geography
Population
Are the locals called 'Manchots' or 'Manchois'? It's up to you!
499,287 inhabitants
138 km from north to south & 59 km from east to west Surface area: 5,938 km
(84 inhabitants per km2)
360 km of coastline
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
The islands: Mont Saint-Michel, Tombelaine, Chausey, Tatihou, Saint-Marcouf and l’Île Pelée.
80,616
Saint-Lô (prefecture)
19,301 Granville
13,175 Coutances
The neighbours: Brittany (Haute Bretagne), Pays de Loire (Mayenne), Calvados and Orne, which are also in Normandy, and of course our cousins in the Channel Islands of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, just a few miles off our coast.
8,688
Tourism
Avranches
7,766
(Source: INSEE _ 2015 on 01/01/2018)
Nature 4,000 hectares of land listed as sensitive nature areas.
2 regional nature parks
– Cotentin and Bessin / NormandyMaine Marshlands.
6 nature reserves : the
Mathon peatbog, the national forest of Cerisy, the Vauville pond, the Beauguillot reserve, the marshes of Sangsurière and l’Adriennerie.
Over 7,000 km of signposted
Listings and labels
2 World Heritage sites listed by UNESCO 1 event listed as part of the world's Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO 1 of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France"
4 "Family Plus" resorts
hiking trails.
15 metres of tide range
(the difference between the water level at high and low tides) in Mont Saint-Michel Bay - the highest tide in Europe.
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2 "Cities and Regions of Art and History" 1 "City of Arts and Crafts"
Mont Saint-Michel and the bay, the Hougue and Tatihou Vauban towers in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue The Granville Carnival
Barfleur
Agon-Coutainville, Hautevillesur-Mer, Barneville-Carteret and Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët Coutances and Le Clos du Cotentin (near Bricquebec, SaintSauveur-le-Vicomte and Valognes) Villedieu-les-Poêles
La Manche magazine
PRACTICAL INFORMATION K See the departure towns marked on the map on page 51 A1
H Excursions to the islands Chausey C7 GRANVILLE x Jolie France Ferry Terminal - Rue des Isles Tel. 02 33 50 31 81 vedettejoliefrance.com
The Channel Islands C7 GRANVILLE B3 BARNEVILLE-CARTERET B2 DIÉLETTE x Manche Iles Express Tel. 0 825 131 050 manche-iles.com/en/
HCrossings to England and Ireland C1 CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN
to the united kingdom
x Brittany Ferries Transmanche Ferry Terminal Tel. 02 33 88 44 88 / 0 825 828 828 brittany-ferries.co.uk Cherbourg to Portsmouth and Poole.
to Ireland
x Irish Ferries Transmanche Ferry Terminal Tel. 02 33 23 44 44 / 0 810 001 357 shamrock-irlande.com Cherbourg to Rosslare and Dublin Stena Line Limited Transmanche Ferry Terminal Tel. 02 33 43 23 87 stenaline.fr Cherbourg to Rosslare
C1 CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN x Les Vedettes du Cotentin Port Chantereyne Tel. 07 60 20 20 40 brittany-ferries.co.uk
Find your accommodation in La Manche
By the sea or in the countryside, plan your holiday in La Manche by choosing and booking your accommodation, hotel, guest room, campsite, holiday village or original accommodation on manche-tourism.com
All the phone numbers are indicated for calls from France. From abroad, dial 0033 instead of the first digit indicated. Example: to reach 02 33 05 98 70, dial 0033 2 33 05 98 70
La Manche tourist destination magazine published in February 2018 by: Latitude Manche - Comité Départemental du Tourisme de la Manche - Maison du Département – 98 route de Candol - CS 73108 – 50008 SAINT-LÔ Cedex Editors: Stephanie Montagne-Grésille, Dominique Hutin / Layout: DGC Communication – Saint-Lô / Printed by Vincent Imprimeries - Tours Photo credits: B. Almodovar (p.14-23-38), Anibas Photography (p.5-34), AOC Cotentin (p.45), La Manche Departmental Archives-US Army (p.18), ASOY-Mainguy (p.46), C. Berrat (p.39), A. Bertrand (p.15-25-30-33-38-40-41), Bibliothèque patrimoniale d’Avranches (p.9), Biscuiterie de Quinéville (p.44), Captain Yvon (p.18), Cara-Meuh (p.45), C. Cauchard (p.19), Centre des Monuments Nationaux (p.47), CDT50 (p.45), B. Croisy (p.46), David Daguier (p.19-20-21-29-42-46), J. Damas (p.24), D. Darrault (p.34), Didrik (p.35), Drouhot/La Cité de La Mer (p.34), S. Dubromel (p. 2-12-36-37), P. Fauvel (p.42), B. Genay (p.13), G. Hervieu (p.47), Gîtes de France (p.35-49), Granvillesite (p.44), E.Hertault (p.17-35-42-43), T. Houyel (p.14-16-35), J. Houyvet (p.7-10-30-32-52), Jim Prod. (cover), T. Jouanneau (p.31), A. Lamoureux (p. 6-27), M. Le Calonec (p. 46), P.-Y. Le Meur (p.46), M. Lerouge (p.8-14-26-28), Les Sabots d’Eugénie (p.45), Le Véritable Parapluie de Cherbourg (p.45), Macon & Lesquoy (p.44), Maison Saint-Lô (p.44), Manfolium (p.62) , M. Mochon (p. 41-43-49), Normandy Horse Show (p. 47), Prévithal (p.35), R2Pub (p.45), N. Rottiers (p.4), C. Roux-Mouchel (p.34), Team Extrem (p.47), La Tricoterie du Val de Saire (p.45), Vedettes Jolie France (p.49), Vincent M (p.8), X. Any reproduction, even partial, of articles or illustrations published in this magazine is strictly forbidden. This magazine is not contractual and, despite the care taken in producing it, it may contain errors for which Latitude Manche cannot be held responsible.
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List of TOURIST OFFICES K Listed by area from North to South in the department, then in alphabetical order by municipality K Cotentin Tourist Office encotentin.fr Office de Tourisme DU
COT ENT N
Tourist Information Offices --------------------------------
D1 Fermanville - Le Val de Saire Open in season 02 33 23 12 13
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr B2 Les Pieux - La Hague -
A1 Auderville - La Hague CapCotentin Open in season
[email protected] www.lahague-tourisme.com
Cap Cotentin Open all the year round 02 33 04 03 07
[email protected] www.lahague-tourisme.com
E1 Barfleur - Le Val de Saire Open all the year round 02 33 54 02 48
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr
D3 Montebourg - Le Val de Saire Open in season 02 33 41 15 73
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr
B3 Barneville-Carteret -
La Côte des Isles Open all the year round 02 33 04 90 58
[email protected] otcdi.com
B1 Beaumont-Hague -
La Hague - Cap Cotentin Open all the year round 02 33 52 74 94
[email protected] www.lahague-tourisme.com C3 Bricquebec - Le Clos du Cotentin Open in season 02 33 52 21 65
[email protected] encotentin.fr/closducotentin
B4 Portbail - La Côte des Isles Open all the year round 02 33 04 03 07
[email protected] otcdi.com
D2 Quettehou - Le Val de Saire Open all the year round 02 33 43 63 21
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr
D1 Saint-Pierre-Eglise -
Le Val de Saire Open all the year round 02 33 23 12 13
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr E2 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
C1 Cherbourg-en-
Cotentin Open all the year round 02 33 93 52 02
[email protected] www.cherbourgtourisme.com
C4 Denneville - La Côte des Isles Open in season
[email protected] otcdi.com
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- Le Val de Saire Open all the year round 02 33 71 99 71
[email protected] tourismecotentinvaldedsaire.fr C3 Saint-Sauveur-le-
Vicomte - Le Clos du Cotentin Open all the year round 02 33 21 50 44
[email protected] encotentin.fr/closducotentin
B2 Tréauville - La Hague Cap Cotentin Open in season
[email protected] www.lahague-tourisme.com
D5 Périers Open in season 02 33 47 82 57
C1 Valognes - Le Clos du Cotentin Open all the year round 02 33 40 11 55
[email protected] encotentin.fr/closducotentin
C5 Pirou Open in season 02 33 46 30 47 C5 Saint-Germain-sur-Ay Open in season 02 33 07 02 75
Cotentin Bay Tourist Office ot-baieducotentin.fr
[email protected]
Saint-Lô Area Tourist Office ot-saintloagglo.fr
[email protected]
Tourist Information Offices open all year --------------------------------
Tourist Information Offices --------------------------------
E4 Carentan-les-Marais
02 33 71 23 50
[email protected]
D3 Sainte-Mère-Église
02 33 21 00 33
[email protected]
West Coast Tourism Manche Centre www.tourisme-cocm.fr
[email protected]
Tourist Information Offices -------------------------------C5 Créances Open in season 02 33 45 05 71 C4 La Haye Open all the year round 02 33 46 01 42
C5 Lessay Open all the year round 02 33 45 14 34
E5 Saint-Lô Open all the year round 02 14 29 00 17
E5 Saint-Lô National Stud Farm - Stable N°5 Open in season 02 33 55 29 09 F6 Torigny-les-Villes Open all the year round 02 33 77 42 22
Coutances Tourisme tourisme-coutances.fr
[email protected] 02.33.19.08.10
Tourist Information Offices open all year -------------------------------C6 Agon-Coutainville
C6 Blainville-sur-Mer D6 Coutances
La Manche magazine
D7 Gavray C6 Gouville-sur-Mer C6 Hauteville-sur-Mer
C9 Genêts 02 33 89 64 00
[email protected]
C10 Pontorson 02 33 60 20 65
[email protected]
C9 Mont-Saint-Michel
Villedieu Intercom Tourist Office ot-villedieu.fr
[email protected] 02 33 61 05 69
E7 Open all the year round
02 33 60 14 30 tourisme.lemontsaintmichel@ msm-normandie.fr
F9 Mortain-Bocage 02 33 59 19 74
[email protected]
Granville Land & Sea Tourist Office tourisme-granville-terre-mer.com
[email protected] 02 33 91 30 03
ETERNAL ATTRACTION
4
beyond the sea somewhere waiting for me... 10
Tourist Information Offices open all the year round --------------------------------
D10 Saint-James 02 33 89 62 38
[email protected]
F8 Sourdeval 02 33 79 35 61
[email protected]
Al l t h e p h o n e n u m b e r s a r e indicated for calls from France. From abroad, dial 0033 instead of the first digit indicated. Example: to reach 02 33 05 98 70, dial 0033 2 33 05 98 70
CHERBOURG-ENCOTENTIN
Diélette
C7 Bréhal
SPRINGTIME OF HEROES
16
when you set off along the road
22
cultural heritage
28
C7 Granville
la manche with your family
34
C8 Jullouville
la manche with your loved one
35
C8 Saint-Pair-sur-Mer
there’s lots of seasons!
36
La Manche, a feast for the eyes!
40
souvenirs made in La Manche
44
EVENTS 2018, experience La Manche!
46
la manche in short
48
practical information
49
List of Tourist Offices
50
map of La Manche
51
Submersible road - Havre de la Vanlée Cover photo: Port Racine - Saint-Germain-des-Vaux
E9 Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët 02 33 79 38 88 tourisme.sthilaireduharcouet@ msm-normandie.fr
C8 Saint-Jean-le-Thomas 02 33 70 90 71 tourisme.saintjeanlethomas@ msm-normandie.fr
C8 Carolles C7 Donville Les Bains
Saint-Côme-du-Mont
Mont Saint-Michel Normandy Tourist Office ot-montsaintmichel.com
Tourist Information Offices open all the year round -------------------------------D9 Avranches 02 33 58 00 22
[email protected] E8 Brécey 02 33 89 21 13
[email protected]
D7 Ducey-les-Chéris 02 33 60 21 53
[email protected]
-03
51
Destination Magazine # 2
ETERNAL ATTRACTION beyond the sea somewhere waiting for me SPRING OF THE HEROES CULTURAL HERITAGE la manche with your loved one or family
Fort de La Hougue
manche-tourism.com
