Garden of plants of Coutances ©Coutances TourismeGarden of plants of Coutances ©Coutances Tourisme
©Garden of plants of Coutances ©Coutances Tourisme
Manche - Normandy

Must-see gardens

The great gardens of La Manche: immerse yourself in nature’s enchanting landscapes

At the heart of La Manche’s enchanting scenery lie natural treasures that invite discovery: the gardens of La Manche. Whether you’re a botany enthusiast, a history buff or simply looking for a moment of peace and quiet, these gardens offer an unforgettable getaway for young and old alike. From the beauty of châteaux gardens to the artistic creations of parks, each patch of greenery tells a unique story and invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of nature.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the fragrant alleys and lush corners of these remarkable gardens in Normandy’s Manche region.

#1 - Jardin des plantes de Coutances

In the heart of the historic capital of the Cotentin region, like a green lung in the city center, the Coutances plant garden welcomes you for a plunge into lush nature. The garden has several distinctive features: it’s a beautiful fusion of English and French groves, with a mosaic culture perpetuated by the town’s gardeners with a different theme every year.The garden boasts a magnificent plant maze, where you can lose yourself as generations go by.

Practical info 2 rue Quesnel Morinière – 50200 Coutances

2 - Vauville Botanical Garden

The Vauville garden, which dates back to 1948, is made up of over 1,000 species of plants and shrubs from the southern hemisphere. Made up of evergreen species, it can be visited in any season without its beauty being altered. The microclimate is ideal for growing many exotic species. It surrounds the superb Château de Vauville, which is also worth a visit.

1 route de Thôt – Vauville – 50440 La Hague 02 33 10 00 00 / www.jardin-vauville.fr

3 - Jardin d'Elle

This 1.5-hectare park, created with the expertise of Paysages et Pépinières d’Elle, features over 2,500plantspecies. Several themes are proposed along the landscaped paths, such as the vegetable garden, waterfalls, undergrowth, the country theme, etc. Several remarkable species (maples, honeysuckle, black gum, …) can be found here.(maples, honeysuckle, black gum, etc.) can be admired, and the site is also an LPO bird sanctuary.

15 le repas – 50680 Villiers-Fossard 02 33 05 88 64 / www.dellenormandie.com

4 - Tatihou gardens

On the eponymous island, the gardens will surprise you with their diversity and the exotic character of the species that thrive there. A palm grove, an acclimatization garden, magnificent exotic species, a Moroccan area… Coastal species from the English Channel blend with exotic plants that thrive here in incredibly exotic natural spaces.

Île Tatihou – BP3 – 50550 Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue 02 14 29 03 30 / www.tatihou.manche.fr

5 - Château des Ravalet park

The park is a perfect blend of French and English gardens, aquatic areas, flower beds, remarkable trees… Covering 18 hectares, this garden was recreated by R. de Tocqueville in the 19th century, and features one of the last 19th-century Rotonde greenhouses in Normandy. Stroll through the paths, meadow, natural areas and more. You’ll be charmed!

Avenue du château / Tourlaville – 50110 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin 02 33 87 88 98 – www.ville-cherbourg.fr

6 - Jardin Christian Dior

Overlooking the sea, the Christian Dior garden is a veritable showcase for the designer’s childhood home. Between sky and sea, this garden seems suspended in the air. The garden is laid out from space to space, with the sea and its breathtaking scenery as a backdrop. There are many rose bushes, the couturier’s favorite flower.

4 rue d’Estouteville – Cours Jonville – 50400 Granville 02 33 91 30 03 – www.musee-dior-granville.com

7 - Jardins en liberté

At the Lycée Horticole, Campus Métiers Nature in Coutances, the free gardens are a 3-hectare educational complex. You can admire the gardens during the popular Dahlia Festival, held every year from the end of August to the end of September. Several hundred species of dahlia are on display, as well as floral exhibitions, themed stages, local craftsmen, landscaped gardens, etc.

Campus métiers nature – route de Montmartin-sur-Mer – 50200 Coutances 02 33 45 13 44 / www.campusagri.fr

8 - Chantore Park

In the south of France’s Manche region, the Chantore landscaped park boasts a magnificent view of Mont-Saint-Michel, which we love to contemplate. 19 hectares of landscaped parkland around the 18th-century château, where you’ll discover remarkable trees, an English river, numerous waterfalls, bamboo species, rhododendron beds, … all while admiring Mont-Saint-Michel in the distance!

Chantore – 50530 Bacilly 06 74 30 66 64 – www.parcchantore.com

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