LA MANCHE – NORMANDY

La Manche is known as the garden of Normandy. This green and pleasant land of La Manche produces a banquet of food from land and sea, its treasures displayed in its many pretty Normandy market towns and fishing ports.
With its stunning golden beaches, national parks, a huge architectural heritage of Normandy buildings, diverse collection of leisure activities La Manche is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

MAIN TOWNS OF LA MANCHE NORMANDY

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A. Cherbourg – Normandy

Ships have docked at Cherbourg since the 17^th century when the royally appointed architect Vauban built the original harbour. The massive artificial break waters and forts commissioned by Napolean transformed the Normandy town further into a major trans- Atlantic port. Read more on Cherbourg or return to Manche Normandy map

Website: Normandywww.ot-cherbourg-cotentin.fr

B. Barfleur – Normandy

A pretty fishing village, bordered by elegant stone houses, with its port jutting out into the Normandy channel. It was from here in 1120 that Henry I of England’s son and heir William, drown together with his sister and 300 companions returning to England on Gatteville rocks just north of the town. Read more on Barfleur or return to Manche Normandy map

Website: Normandy  www.ville-barfleur.fr

C. St-Vaast-la-Hougue – Normandy

This bright and cheerful Normandy seaside town with its busy harbour and sandy beach is famous for its oysters, hence the multitude of great cafes and restaurants which overlook the waterfront. Read more on St-Vaast-la-Houge or return to Manche Normandy map

Website: Normandy www.saint-vaast-reville.com

D.     Valognes – Normandy

Valognes was once described as the “Versailles of  Normandy” for its aristocratic mansions and palaces, belonging to the old noblesse. Unfortunately many beautiful residences were reduced to rubble during the battle of Normandy. Read more on Valognes or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy  www.mairie-valognes.fr

E.     Ste-Mere-Eglise – Normandy

This proud village was the first to be liberated in Normandy France by US paratroopers, as imortalised in the 1962 movie “The Longest Day”.  Read more on Ste Mere Eglise or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy  www.sainte-mere-eglise.info

F.     Carentan – Normandy

Carentan with its majestic 12^th Century church, medieval stone arcade, beautiful 17^th century lavoir des Fontaines and town hall, stands at the head of a pretty and newly landscaped pleasure port and canal which runs down to the sea.  Read more on Carentan or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy  www.ot-carentan.fr

G.     St-Lo – Normandy

The city of St-Lo is the county town of La Manche, Normandy. Crucial in the battle for Normandy in world war two the city was completely bombarded by the allies, which resulted in the vast majority of buildings being destroyed. Read more on St Lo or return to Manche Normandy map

Website: Normandy www.saint-lo.fr

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H.     Villedieu-les-Poeles – Normandy

Copper pots and pans fill the shop windows of Villedieu’s lively high street, for metal work has been the main industry of the town since the Knight Hospitallers established a foundry in Normandy in the 12^th Century. Indeed even  the towns name literally means  “ City of God the Frying Pans”. Read more on Villedieu les poelles or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy www.ot.villedieu.fr

I.      Mortain – Normandy

Occupying a high ridge above the deep gorge of Cance, Mortain has fine panorama over the Selune Valley and Foret de Mortain. The 12^th Century Blanch Abbey, a text book example of Cistercian architecture, containing gracefully adorned cloisters, chapter house with double nave. Read more on Mortain or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy www.vile-mortain.fr

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J.      Avranches – Normandy

Situated on a hill top above the river See, and the nearest town to Mont-St-Michel, Avranches houses some exquisite manuscripts in the scriptorium. Read more on Avranches or return to Manche Normandy map

K.     Mont-Saint-Michel – Normandy

Standing in a wide sandy bay, this magnificent Normandy masterpiece is no doubt one of France’s architectural icons. Work commenced on this rocky islet in the 8^th century, and by the 10^th century the monastery was founded, consisting of delicate double arched cloisters and a labyrinth of gothic chambers, an amazing feat considering its situation surrounded by quicksand at low tide and deep water at high tide. Read more on Mont saint Michel or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy www.ot-montsaintmichel.com

L.     Granville – Normandy

Encircled by defensive ramparts, and entered via the Grande Porte, complete with drawbridge, the Haute-Ville( high town) of Normandy stands a protected huddle of houses, church and barracks above the Atlantic sea. Read more on Granville or return to Manche Normandy map

Website:Normandy www.granville.fr

M.     Coutances – Normandy

Perched high on a rocky bluff the Catherdral De Notre Dame, who’s magnificent twin towers are silhouetted against the Normandy sky, rests the old hill town of Coutances, with its rich variety of good shops and restaurants.  Read more on Coutances or return to Manche Normandy map

Website: Normandywww.coutances.fr

Accommodation in Manche

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