Red brick building with red doors and windows, surrounded by treesA red brick building with red doors and windows, surrounded by trees. The building has a gray slate roof and intricate architectural details. There are people walking around the building and trees with green leaves.
©A historic red brick building stands majestically in a park.|Alice Bertrand Latitude Manche
Unmissable in La Manche

The Saint-Lois

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  4. Saint-Lô and its surroundings

The Saint-lois, living to the rhythm of the Vire

To survey the Saint-lois is to travela territory as urban as it is rich in History and unexpected, bocage, bucolic, wooded and wild. It would be immediately obvious to go to Saint-Lô, the prefecture city with its ramparts, its stud farm, its shops. For all that, this space could not be summed up in a single city. The Vire River, crossing the Saint-Lois, is thus the place for relaxation and sports activities. Ride along the path of towpath by bike, on foot or on horseback, try your hand at the vélorail, head for the famous Roches de Ham and explore its surroundings as part of a hike.

Aerial view of a lush valley with a winding river and forested hillsAerial view of a lush valley with a winding river. The river cuts through a verdant landscape, surrounded by forested hills and green meadows. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.
©The river winds through the valley, surrounded by greenery and forested hills.|Saint-Lô Agglo tourisme
Three horses in brick stalls, one of them sticking its head out of the doorThree horses are visible in brick stalls. The closest horse is sticking its head out of the stall door. The walls are made of red brick and the stall doors are red wood. The horses appear calm and relaxed.
©The horses enjoy a moment of calm in their brick stable.|Alice Bertrand Latitude Manche
Two people walking along a dirt path next to a canalTwo people are walking on a dirt path next to a canal. The path is lined with trees and green grass. The canal is calm and reflects the surrounding trees. The people are wearing sports clothes and appear to be enjoying a sunny day.
©A peaceful walk along a tree-lined canal.|S.grillot OT Saint-Lô Agglo
Medieval fortress with a red and white flag flying atop a towerA medieval stone fortress with a central tower. A red and white flag is flying atop the tower. The fortress is surrounded by green trees and the sky is blue with some white clouds.
©The medieval fortress stands proudly under the blue sky, surrounded by green trees.|S.grillot - OT Saint-Lô Agglo
    A castle surrounded by trees and reflected in a pondA traditional-style castle with turrets and stone walls, surrounded by trees and reflected in a calm pond. The sky is blue and the leaves of the trees are green, with some bright red accents.
    ©A historic castle surrounded by a peaceful and verdant landscape.|Château de Canisy

      The castle of Canisy

      If it is customary to go to another region to visit castles, there is finally no need to leave the English Channel to discover one of the most beautiful and best preserved, the castle of Canisy.

      Built between the 13th and 16th centuries, this magnificent relic of the past is as intriguing and wonderful as the setting in which it was built.

      Consisting of a park, an animal sanctuary, a farm, gardens or even lakes, the castle’s exteriors are simply unmissable. The castle itself, consists of several dozen rooms including suites, dining rooms or a theater.

      Did you know – Saint-Lô, “capital of ruins”

      This expression attributed to Samuel Beckett in his 1946 poem testifies to the dark pages of Saint-Lô’s history during the reconquest of territories under the yoke of Nazism. Indeed, on June 6, 1944, the city was almost entirely wiped off the map under the fire of Allied bombs, dropped on Saint-Lô to cut off the Germans. This strategy did not work well compared to the heavy human and material toll. Saint-Lô will take about twenty years to rise from its ashes to become the city we know today.

      Les Roches de Ham and the towpath

      Long at 66 km, the towpath is a must for those those wishing to recharge their batteries away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Whatever your means of locomotion (apart from the car of course), you will be conquered by this green space, following the meanders of the Vire, listening to the lapping of the water. During your journey, make a stop at the Ham rocks, a listed site, and enjoy the beauty of the site and a panorama like no other on the Vire valley. And why not settle down for a picnic with family or friends to relax on the edge of the woods.

      Panoramic view of a lush green valley with a cloudy skyPanoramic view of a lush green valley with hills and fields. The sky is cloudy with light reflections. A metal railing is visible on the left side of the image.
      ©A breathtaking view of a lush green valley from a high vantage point.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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          Other major attractions in the department

          Three flags waving on a grassy area with a cloudy sky in the backgroundThree flags are visible, waving on white flagpoles. The first flag is that of the United States, the second is a black, white, and red flag with an emblem in the center, and the third is a red flag with a white cross. In the background, there is a cloudy sky and a concrete structure with illegible text.
          ©Flags of different countries proudly waving in the wind.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
          Landing Beaches
          The D-Day beaches, an open-air place of memory On June 6, 1944, the Landing took place on the beaches of Normandy. This day and the weeks that followed were decisive for the...
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          Two people on a fine sandy beach with a turquoise seaTwo people are on a fine sandy beach. One is standing near the waves, while the other is further out in the turquoise water. The sky is blue with a few white clouds. The horizon is clear and the atmosphere is peaceful.
          ©A sunny day at the beach, between fine sand and turquoise waters.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
          Granville
          Discover La Manche: Granville, seaside resort on the Normandy coast Baptized the Monaco of the North, Granville is a well-known seaside resort on our beautiful Normandy coast...
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          White boat moored to a stone dock with a ropeA white boat is moored to a stone dock with a rope. The water around the boat is calm and clear, with light reflections dancing on the surface. The stone dock is sturdy and well-built, providing a striking contrast to the white boat.
          ©A white boat is securely moored to a stone dock with a sturdy rope.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
          Cherbourg
          Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, a mandatory stopover Nestled at the northernmost point of the Cotentin Peninsula, Cherbourg offers a panorama like no other on the English Channel and on...
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          Flooded rice fields with winding paths and calm water areasAerial view of extensive flooded rice fields with winding paths crisscrossing the fields. Calm water areas reflect the clear blue sky and lush green fields. In the background, a line of trees and a few buildings can be seen.
          ©The rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see, creating a peaceful and lush landscape.|P lecarpentier
          Cotentin Marshes
          The Cotentin marshes, a regional nature park, a bird reserve! Want a change of scenery? Then come and discover The Cotentin Marshes: a territory between two seas, varied...
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          Mont Saint-Michel with a road leading to the main structureView of the road leading to Mont Saint-Michel, an iconic historical and architectural site. The main structure, with its church and buildings, stands on a small rocky island. The winding road, bordered by stone walls, leads directly to the entrance of Mont Saint-Michel. The sky is cloudy, and the entire landscape is bathed in soft, natural light.
          ©The winding road leads to the impressive Mont Saint-Michel, an iconic historical and architectural site.|Fab Lentz
          Mont-Saint-Michel
          The Mont-Saint-Michel, a must-see, memorable visit Set in the bay, it stands majestically in the landscape. The closer you get to the site, the more details of its architecture...
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          Cows grazing near a lighthouse on a beachSeveral white cows are grazing on a grassy hill near a sandy beach. In the background, a lighthouse stands on a small island. The sky is clear and blue, and the scene is peaceful.
          ©Cows graze peacefully near a lighthouse on a deserted beach.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
          The Hague
          La Hague, a great escape At the northwestern tip of the Cotentin Peninsula lies a place where culture, breathtaking scenery, hiking trails and sights are subtly blended, named...
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          Person walking along a canal with a tower in the backgroundA person is walking along a dirt path next to a canal. The canal is surrounded by vegetation and rocks. In the background, there is a stone tower. The sky is partly cloudy with areas of blue sky visible.
          ©A peaceful walk along a canal lined with greenery.|Maxime Coquard Pour Best Jobers Latitude Manche
          Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou
          From Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to Tatihou: a kilometer of sea! With an amphibious boat (on the waves or on the foreshore), cross from the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to Tatihou...
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          A group of people watching a blacksmith working on metalA group of people are watching a blacksmith working on metal in a traditional workshop. The workshop is filled with tools and forging equipment. The blacksmith is using a hammer on a piece of metal placed on an anvil. The visitors appear captivated by the demonstration.
          ©Discovering a craftsmanship during a guided tour.|Sabina Lorkin anibasphotography
          Villedieu-les-Poêles and the crafts
          Villedieu-les-Poêles, discovering the skills of yesteryear Villedieu-les-Poêles has been known for centuries for its copper and lace work. Its fame, the city also owes it to...
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