The Manche's appeal is largely down to its unspoilt natural environment and its sparse habitation, with very few large towns, combining diverse and largely untouched landscapes between its coastlines and the countryside inland and providing an assortment of flora and fauna for visitors to study and enjoy.

Les Ponts d'Ouve discovery centre, based near Carentan, is the window onto the Cotentin and Bessin Marshlands Regional Natural Park (www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr).

The islands of Chausey, just 17 km off Granville, are an environmental haven made up of an archipelago of 365 little islands at low tide, with just 52 of them visible at high tide. The largest of the islands is accessible by boat from the harbour and offers accommodation (a hotel and gîtes) and places to buy food, a fishing village with traditional granite houses and beautiful beaches of fine white sand.

In Granville, the birth place of couturier Christian Dior is now turned into a fashion museum and every year between May and September a display of his works can be seen (www.musee-dior-granville.com).

In Cherbourg, take the time to visit the stunning Cite de la Mer. Built in the former Gare Maritime Transatlantique, itself an impressive art deco building, this major tourist attraction is dedicated to the underwater world.
Visit Le Redoutable, the world's largest submarine open to visitors, interactive displays tha trace the history of submarine development, and the Abyssal Aquarium provides a mesmerising treat appreciated by children and adults alike. More details on www.citedelamer.com.

Villedieu-les-Poeles also deserves a stopover. The town is renowned since the Middle Ages for its crafts tradition including bell foundry, pewter and copper production. Every chef worth his salt knows that copper pans are best for cooking and many of them make their way to Villedieu-les-Poêles, to stock up on pans.
The bell foundry is particularly worth a visit, as it is one of the last remaining bell making specialists in the world.

Museums, abbeys, castles and other tourist attractions are all on www.manchetourisme.com.
You may also choose to contact us on our free phone number from the UK : 0800 0286 572