Manche: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Manche is a maritime département with 355 kilometres of coastline and a wide range of landscapes and sights. Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Manche can then continue searching for accommodation.

Nature

Greenways, as well as numerous hiking, cycling and towpath routes, cross the Manche area. The Roches de Ham rise to 105 metres and offer panoramic views over the Vire Valley and its bocage landscape.

The Manche network of Espaces Naturels Sensibles comprises marshes, dunes, cliffs, heathland, forests and bocage. The dune massifs of Manche are among the most spectacular and extensive in France; some sea cliffs are among the highest in France. In total, 35 Espaces Naturels Sensibles are spread throughout the département. Since 1979, the Manche département has pursued the preservation and public opening of its ENS sites.

Culture and History

Hambye Abbey is one of the most complete medieval monastic ensembles in Normandy. Coutances Cathedral is described as a Gothic masterpiece; guided tours lead up to its upper areas. The Azeville Battery is an Atlantic Wall fortification with trenches and underground galleries connected with the Allied objectives of 6 June 1944.

The Jacques Prévert House can be visited through a collection of original works displayed in the poet’s former home. The Ger Ceramics Museum explains the historical use of pottery and former everyday life through objects, exhibitions, interactive modules and audiovisual presentations. It is located on a former production site dedicated to the pottery heritage and the manufacture of ceramics.

Mont-Saint-Michel combines a Gothic Benedictine abbey and a fortified village on a rocky island exposed to strong tides. Construction of the abbey lasted from the 11th to the 16th century; the maritime character of Mont-Saint-Michel was restored in 2015. UNESCO describes Mont-Saint-Michel as a significant site of medieval Christian civilisation.

On the Move

The Manche cycling network comprises 255 kilometres of greenways and 196 kilometres of signposted roads shared with other users. The Véloscénie is a signposted, 450-kilometre cycle route between Mont-Saint-Michel and Paris. VéloWestNormandy runs for 200 kilometres through the natural heritage and connects Normandy’s D-Day beaches with Mont-Saint-Michel.

The Bay Ecomuseum presents the flora and fauna of the Manche estuary along the GR 223 coastal path. Nautical and wind-related activities in Manche include sand yachting, wingfoiling and surfing.

Coast and Islands

The islands of Tatihou and Chausey are protected areas and bird sanctuaries accessible by boat from ports in Manche. Tatihou is reached from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue by the amphibious boat Tatihou III; the crossing takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes.

Tatihou’s walled lazaretto district comprises historic buildings, a museum, a maritime laboratory, a restaurant and accommodation. Tatihou is a site belonging to the Conservatoire du littoral, where camping is prohibited. A footbridge and shuttle service run from La Caserne to the foot of Mont-Saint-Michel.