La Manche

Big and small news about our department!

Discover everything you don’t need to know about La Manche: an authentic and inspiring region

Between land and sea, La Manche invites you to explore a territory rich in varied landscapes, traditions and unique experiences. With its vast beaches, verdant hedged farmlands and mild climate, our Normandy département offers the ideal setting for a rejuvenating break. Along its roads and trails, let yourself be surprised by the unusual anecdotes, characterful villages and natural treasures that make up the charm of our destination.

La Manche, a destination to explore from every angle

Ready to find out more? Dive into the origins of La Manche’s captivating landscapes, stories and secrets.

Crucial point: the weather!

There’s just one point to make here, and it’s not the least important… La Manche is not the rainiest department in France, far from it! In fact, La Manche ranks 24th in terms of rainfall. Its reputation is far from being borne out. The Atlantic Pyrenees, the Landes, the Cantal, etc. rank ahead of us (2023 ranking).

So, will you check it out on your next trip?

Administration, geography and landscapes!

The prefecture of La Manche is Saint-Lô, a city in the center of the département that is not the largest. Indeed, the largest city in La Manche is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

> La Manche is 3 times longer than it is wide, so the furthest point from the coast is only 50km away.

The landscapes of La Manche are gentle and rural, and the highest point in La Manche is Mont Robin, which rises to just 367 metres, but offers a beautiful panorama. La Manche’s peaceful surroundings, far from the big conurbations, make it an attractive place to live. It’s ideal for those looking for an unspoilt natural environment, with plenty of outdoor activities and a strong connection to the sea (easily accessible from major cities such as Paris, Caen, Rennes and Nantes, our département is perfect for a weekend getaway).

Coastline and seaside

La Manche boasts more than 350km of coastline, including sandy beaches, cliffs, charming harbours, harbours, etc. Counting our magnificent harbours, Coutances mer et bocage has around 65. Two out of every 10 communes are on the coast, giving you the chance to discover their beauty.

La Manche has some of the highest tides in Europe. Differences between high and low water can exceed 14 meters. Coastal landscapes are ever-changing, and every season has its charms, including winter. You can also admire the tidal bore, that spectacular first wave that rises with the tide.

In the north of the département, the Gatteville lighthouse rises magnificently out of the sea. At 75 m, it is the 2nd highest lighthouse in France. A sight not to be missed, the view from the top (you have to climb 365 steps to reach it) is breathtaking!

Saint Vaast La Hougue is a charming port village surrounded by unspoilt natural landscapes, famous for its bustling port, oyster huts and world-famous oysters. Its historic heritage is marked by the Vauban towers, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which bear witness to the defensive ingenuity of the period. In 2019, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue was voted“Favorite Village of the French“, highlighting its picturesque character, authenticity and gentle way of life.

Barfleur: Barfleur, listed as one of the“Most Beautiful Villages in France“, is a delightful fishing port on the northeast coast of La Manche. Renowned for its slate-roofed granite houses and authentic maritime atmosphere, this village invites you to stroll between its lively quays and unspoilt coastal landscapes.

The Hauteville-sur-Mer “La Maillard” fishery is one of the last 5 wooden fisheries in Europe. It’s a unique, traditional facility, inherited from the Middle Ages, for catching fish at ebb tide using booms of stakes and nets. This rare maritime heritage bears witness to the ancestral know-how of local fishermen.

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Pêcherie la Maillard de Hauteville sur Mer

Some more unusual news

Tatihou Island in the north of the La Manche département can be reached on foot at low tide, but also by amphibious boat, i.e. sometimes on the water and sometimes on wheels when the sea has receded.
Cherbourg is home to one of the world’s largest artificial harbors (1,500 hectares).
The Granville carnival has been listed as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site since 2016.
The harbor of Saint-Germain-sur-Ay is sometimes called “the desert of La Manche” due to its surprising landscapes.
Port Racine in the Cotentin region is France’s smallest port, so picturesque, it’s a nugget to be discovered.
Chausey is an archipelago of islands off the coast of Granville. At low tide, some 365 islets can be seen, while only 52 are visible at high tide.
The spires of Coutances cathedral rise to a height of 77 m.