By the sea

The coast of La Manche

670 km of unspoilt coastline

The coastline of La Manche boasts over 670 km of unspoilt shores, a real natural gem waiting to be explored. From rugged cliffs and fine sandy beaches to charming coastal villages, the territory has a breathtaking diversity of landscapes.

Prepare for an unforgettable maritime adventure, with lots of ways to enjoy it: walking along the GR®223 hiking trail, sampling seafood in the small fishing ports, trying watersports or discovering iconic historical sites. The coastline of La Manche promises an authentic and refreshing getaway, where nature meets the sea.

Seaside resorts, La Hague headland, the Côte des Havres, islands, and much more. We give you some tips to help you plan your coastal travel package.

The seaside resorts of La Manche

These charming seaside villages offer lots of different activities and enchanting landscapes. Relaxing on the huge beaches, trying watersports or strolling around the little ports: work, senior and school groups will all find something to enjoy.

Granville

A view of Mont Saint-Michel

The old privateer town of La Manche is sure to captivate visitors, with its cobbled streets, fortifications, grand townhouses, and the childhood home of Christian Dior, which is now a museum. Granville is a must-see on any sightseeing tour.

The resort is bustling as early as February, with a carnival listed as a UNESCO World Heritage event. Throughout the year, the Granville Regional Nautical Centre hosts lots of school groups. For adult leisure groups or seminars, the thalassotherapy centre and the Casino are good options.

Agon-Coutainville

Activities between the beaches and the countryside

Agon is a lovely little seaside resort not far from Coutances. With its beaches, watersports centres, holiday villages and golf course, the resort has plenty to offer for adult and school groups. Foodies can enjoy some freshly caught seafood. Nearby, a short stop is a must to grab a photo of the beach huts at Gouville-sur-Mer!

Barneville-Carteret

The charm of the Belle Époque

South of La Hague headland, Barneville-Carteret is sure to enchant your groups. Here, the beaches are overlooked by Belle Époque townhouses and villas that lend a unique charm to the resort. From the cliffs of Carteret headland, the panorama is breathtaking with endless beaches and the Channel Islands in the distance: a view best seen from the GR®223 hiking trail.

Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue

Coastal heritage

In the heart of the Val de Saire, this characterful village is known for its maritime structures designed by Vauban. Two fortified towers face one another, one on the mainland and the other on Tatihou Island. You can get to the island by amphibious boat, an experience that will undoubtedly surprise your groups! On the island, a restaurant and hotel can accommodate your clients (seminars, groups, schools).

The seaside resorts

The Cotentin, a peninsula at the edge of the world

La Hague headland

Breathtaking panoramas

Located at the northwestern tip of the Cotentin peninsula, this area is highly appreciated for its wild landscapes and impressive cliffs. Hiking along the GR®223 trail reveals many of its wonders: Nez de Jobourg, Port Racine, Goury lighthouse, the Bays of Écalgrain and Vauville, the dunes at Biville, the surf spot at Siouville, Flamanville headland, and more. The maritime company Hague à Part (https://hagueapart.com/) offers boat trips along the coast, providing a different way to admire the cliffs and wild landscapes.

La Hague headland

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

Capital of the Cotentin

With its five ports (leisure, fishing, commercial, cruise and military), Cherbourg is one of the most maritime towns in La Manche. The world's largest artificial harbour has protected the ports since it was built in the 19th century.

Cherbourg is also a city steeped in history, with architecture marked by the presence of Queen Matilda, Vauban and Napoleon, as well as by the 1930s. Guided tours of the city are available to find out more about the remarkable history of this port city.

Cherbourg’s emblem, the former transatlantic liner terminal, has housed the “Cité de la Mer” for several years. This tourist site is suitable for all groups and explores the adventure of humankind and the sea, including the history of the Titanic.

The Côte des Havres

Eight tidal inlets, from Granville to Barneville-Carteret, form a unique and yet little-known environment. Between freshwater and saltwater, the inlets are constantly shaped by the tides, the climate and storms. This extraordinary ecosystem, with its sandy expanses and salt marshes, fosters the development of exceptional flora and fauna that change with every tide: shelducks, egrets, samphire, and much more.

The côte des havres

La Vanlée inlet

Located between Agon-Coutainville and Granville, this inlet spans 10 hectares of salt marshes and meadows. It is famous for its fascinating tidal causeway, which crosses the inlet to the sea and is submerged during spring tides.

Regnéville-sur-Mer inlet

Covering an area of 1 800 hectares, this is the largest inlet in La Manche. It is surrounded by two must-see sites: the village of Regnéville-sur-Mer and the Pointe d’Agon-Coutainville.

Blainville-sur-Mer inlet

An oyster-farming area by nature, the oyster beds here are revealed with the tides. For a taste, head to the Père Gus oyster bar, located right in the heart of the production area.

Geffosses inlet

A true paradise for birds, which come to overwinter, breed or rest in this peaceful place depending on the season. In winter, migratory birds can be seen, much to the delight of birdwatchers.

Saint-Germain-sur-Ay inlet

Part of the Marais du Bessin et du Cotentin Regional Nature Park, this inlet is one of the wildest on the coast. From the old guardhouse, the view during the spring tides is breathtaking.

Surville inlet

This small inlet is characterised by its network of little pools that provide breeding habitats for amphibians. Many plant and animal species can also be found here.

Port-Bail inlet

Covering an area of around 300 hectares, the inlet is divided in two by a levee road. Sheep graze the salt marshes of the northern inlet, and a sluice gate regulates the flow of seawater on the southern side. Nearby, the Lindbergh dunes form part of the huge dune system that stretches along the coast from the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel to La Hague headland.

Carteret inlet

Located in the heart of the lovely resort of Barneville-Carteret, this inlet covers 90 hectares, most of which are salt marshes. Protected by Carteret headland, the inlet lies between wild expanses and a seaside village.

The islands

accessible from the ports of La Manche

Tatihou Island

Accessible by amphibious boat from the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Tatihou island is surrounded by water at high tide and can be reached on foot at low tide.

The island has lots to offer for both young and old, including a maritime museum, old fortifications with a Vauban tower (a UNESCO World Heritage site), a bird reserve and a botanical garden. To continue the experience, a 3-star hotel-restaurant opened in 2022. Les Maisons de Tatihou offer a selection of fine local products for delicious meals, as well as rooms that can accommodate different group sizes, especially for seminars.

The Chausey Islands

Administratively attached to Granville, this protected natural area is located just a few kilometres off the coast of La Manche. Made up of several hundred islets at low tide, the archipelago is a real earthly paradise with its unique landscapes of fine sandy beaches, turquoise waters, rocks and reefs in the open sea. Activities to enjoy include walking, swimming, fishing or watersports, such as kayaking.

The maritime company Jolie France takes visitors to the main island of Chausey and also offers other services, such as tours in the bay of Mont Saint-Michel.

The Channel Islands

Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm are the five Channel Islands, and can be reached from three ports in La Manche: Granville, Carteret and Diélette.

The atmosphere on these islands is distinctly British, with typical architecture and a culture and traditions preserved across all of the islands. The Channel Islands have their own currency and boast a diversity of unspoilt landscapes, ensuring a complete change of scenery. A destination to include in your tours to surprise your groups.

The islands

Coastal activities

La Manche is an ideal playground for hiking, cycling and... trying watersports!

Along the coast of La Manche, you'll find numerous spots, facilities and equipment for trying a wide range of watersports. In sailing clubs, instructors are on hand to introduce all types of groups to these activities.

You can suggest activities like sand yachting, sea wading, kayaking, paddleboarding, wingfoiling, kitesurfing and more, as well as outings on old ships or catamarans. These activities combine sport with natural heritage; a different way to enjoy the coast of La Manche!

Coastal activities