Browse our interactive map and explore the main points of interest in Cotentin with our ultimate guide for an unforgettable road trip in Cotentin!
CARENTAN
Your route begins at the eastern entrance to Cotentin, with the Cotentin and Bessin Marshes Park, area of more than 30 hectares made up of wet meadows which surround the “Belle du Cotentin”.
Carentan proudly displays the traces of its medieval history, still visible in the city center but also its strategic position during the Liberation of France by the Allies on June 6, 1944. The city is the starting point of the Road to the Battle of Normandy, to explore all the historic sites.
The Way to Freedom
It takes you on the historic route taken by the Allies to liberate France but also Europe from the German yoke during the 2eme World War.
It is marked with 1200 kilometer markers along its route.
Sainte-Mere-Eglise
Enjoy your stopover in the 1st liberated city of France, to discover the witness sites of the Battle of Normandy.
UTAH BEACH
At Utah Beach, follow in the footsteps of the Allies during the Normandy landings on the morning of June 6, 1944. Landing Museum, located on the beach, and a true witness to D-Day, go back in time and History.
Ravenoville
The coastal road takes you to Ravenoville, where the small colorful cabins, set up along the beach, are a real invitation to contemplation and relaxation in front of the spectacle that the sea offers us.
QUINEVILLE
Gourmands will take a short break in the seaside town to taste the famous sweets from the local biscuit factory while enjoying the open panorama of the sea. Why not take the opportunity to go on a sea trip in Bay of Saint-Vaast ?
East cost
This east coast is characterized by a long sandy beach delimited to the south by the Bay of Veys to end in the North at the port of Barfleur, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France®. Throughout your journey, leisure, seaside and fishing activities share this space where fishermen, oyster farmers, boaters and fans of sports linked to the wind and the sea rub shoulders.
SAINT-VAAST-LA-HOUGUE
Setting sails for Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and its bay.
Starting point of the Val de Saire Road, towards two essential sites of the Cotentin, the two Vauban towers, jewels of the UNESCO World Heritage, built to protect the Cotentin from English invasions, after the Battle of La Hougue in 1692, anchored in local history. One is continental, Fort de la Hougue, its twin is an islander, on theTatihou Island.
From the dikes, admire this maritime heritage. Get lost in its alleys, stroll along the quays, witness the landing of fish and shellfish, taste excellent oysters with a nutty flavor raised in the heart of the oyster pond the oldest in Normandy.
Tatihou
In the middle of the blue of the bay, discover a charming little island, Tatihou.
It is accessible on board the amphibious boat, at high tide, departing from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. On arrival, the maritime garden invites you to take a bucolic walk punctuated by exotic species that line its route. A few steps away, go back in time by visiting the maritime Museum, which traces the Battle of La Hougue, but also offers collections extended to the fields of ethnology and the history of coastal life.
Tatihou is also home to a bird sanctuary where it is possible to observe more than 150 species of birds throughout the year.
BARFLEUR
New pearl of Val de Saire, Barfleur, classified among The Most Beautiful Villages in France®, is revealed in its entirety from the large pier and the area of the Cracko which marks the entrance to the port where the fishing boats are an attraction when the tide returns!
Barfleur proudly displays the traces of its medieval past, admire its Saint-Nicolas church and its schist roofs as well as the ceramics which adorn the houses of this charming fishing village.
THE GATTEVILLE LIGHTHOUSE
Second in France by its height, the Gatteville lighthouse, impresses with its 75 meters! Take your breath to climb its 365 steps, lit by 52 windows, you will be rewarded once at the top by the panorama of the Val de Saire and its pink granite rocks.
Continue the route and follow the vegetable crops which are famous locally. A stop in Réthoville, Marie Ravenel's water mill, an 18th century cottage, offers a pleasant stroll in the footsteps of the miller poetess.
CAPE LEVI
At the tip of Cape Levi, Lighthouse and Napoleonic fort watch over the surrounding wild landscapes and invite you to take a bucolic walk along the sumptuous shore. Along the way, admire the charming little port.
BRICK ANSE
Be careful, from Fermanville to Cherbourg, the Val de Saire road offers a breathtaking view of the sea.Brick Cove, surfers will take advantage of the spot to launch themselves onto the wave. It is also the starting point for superb hikes in the surrounding moors.
COLLIGNON
The Val de Saire gives way to bay of Cherbourg. East entrance door, the Collignon beach offers multiple leisure activities, on land and at sea, to discover absolutely, with decor, the largest artificial harbor in the world, punctuated with jewels of military construction over more than 1 hectares.
CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN
The city of 5 ports
Stroll along the quays of the port city. Cherbourg lives to the rhythm of stopovers and tides! Equipped with a fishing, pleasure, commercial and cruise port as well as a military port, the city is protected from the winds by its sea wall and its forts which surround its harbor.
Cité de la Mer
An essential stopover in Cotentin, a visit is essential Cité de la Mer, this magical, fun, poetic, educational place, dedicated to the exploration of the seabed, installed since 2002 in theold transatlantic maritime Art-deco. Board the Redoutable, the largest visitable submarine in the world, follow in the footsteps of the explorers of the abyss. Relive the last hours of Titanic, discover his latest animation, “ the Ocean of the future, homage to the blue planet » route of 18 interactive spaces and aquariums.
URVILLE NACQUEVILLE
After Cherbourg, begins the Route des Caps.
1st stop, the seaside town ofUrville-Nacqueville which marks the entrance to the Pointe de La Hague. Its long sand beach end invites you to go for a walk, but also to relax with your family by the sea. high tide, try your hand at the water sports activities offered. Manors and castles, parks and gardens can also be discovered along the small roads.
LANDEMER
Landemer, so dear to Boris Vian, marks the beginning of the cliffs of La Hague. Contemplate the panorama of the sea and the steep coast which can be seen from the viewpoint to the port ofOmonville-la-Rogue.
Hike along the GR®223, an essential trail to feel the elements and grasp the grandeur of the place.
GREVILLE-HAGUE
Continuing on the Route des Caps, before arriving in the heart of the village of Greville-Hague, turn right towards “ Gruchy“. Stroll through this typical stone hamlet in the footsteps of the painter Jean-Francois Millet, visit the artist's birthplace, inspired by the grandiose landscapes of the Hague. Take the stroll to the bottom of the street, and contemplate the spectacle opening onto the sea. The most courageous will join the GR®223 leading them to the edge of cliffs lined with ferns and heathers whose colors blaze in autumn.
OMONVILLE-LA-ROGUE
The village ofOmonville-la-Rogue and its lovely port of Hable invite you to stop off to watch local fishermen return from the sea. Gourmets will take the opportunity to enjoy on the terrace sea food and the famous Cotentin blue lobster (MSC certified), fished along the Cotentin coast.
Gain height by following the GR®223 to admire the panorama following the direction of Eculleville and the Bay of Quervière, a true green setting.
A sea trip departing from the port is also available to you to feel the sea spray and follow the wild coasts of La Hague.
ROOT HOLDER
At the exit of Omonville-la-Rogue, don't miss the view of the Jardeheu Point, and its old semaphore, now transformed into houses, from where the view of the sea is simply incredible. Let your gaze focus on theAnse Saint-Martin until adorable Root Port in Saint-Germain-des-Vaux. Go down the steps to the smallest port in France!
GOURY – CAP DE LA HAGUE
You are on the edge of the world!
To enjoy the view of the port of Goury, its atypical rescue station and its Lighthouse. Offshore, you can see the swirls of the Raz Blanchard, one of the most powerful sea currents in Europe. On stormy days, the spectacle of the waves is spectacular!
Leave your vehicle then follow the small stone walls towards the hamlet of La Roche. Next essential step in Cotentin: the Ecalgrain Bay, sand and pebble beach, a real setting, framed by moors and wild heather.
Walkers will be able to venture onto the GR®223 in the direction of Nose of Jobourg, and its steep cliffs, sheltering an ornithological reserve.
THE CLIFFS OF LA HAGUE
High place of the Trek, the cliffs of the Hague and its emblematic Nose of Jobourg, are an obligatory passage to appreciate this wild advance on the sea facing the Channel Islands and feel the force of the elements, the salty air and the sweet scent of flowering gorse.
Whichever direction you look, it's astoundingly beautiful and invigorating!
VAUVILLE’S COVE AND MARDES
We then head towards For babies, a village nestled in the heart of valleys covered with vast moors and wild heather. Head towards the botanical garden, classified as a remarkable garden, also called the Travelers Garden, where the sea plays hide and seek with an army of palm trees. Along the marked route from the immense pebble beach, where board sports aficionados share this fantastic playground, discover between dunes and reeds, the Vauville pond nature reserve, which hosts 170 species of birds and amphibians, to be observed under the shelter of the observatory.
The road then gains height. At the bends, don't hesitate to stop to enjoy the open landscape on the coast.
THE DUNES OF LA HAGUE
At the foot of the church of Biville, parish of Blessed Thomas Hélye de la Hague, the path takes you to the belvedere located at the top of an immense dune space, a protected and preserved area, plunging towards the sea. The descent through this lunar landscape towards the beach is exhilarating, but the climb requires a certain level of physical fitness! Take advantage of this ideal viewpoint to watch the sunset!
Witnesses to recent history, a few blockhouses rest on the fine sand, swept by the prevailing westerly winds.
SIOUVILLE-HAGUE
The beach extends until surf spot Norman of Siouville-Hague. Try the adventure and measure yourself against the wave!
Near, Port-Dielette offers a rare shelter on the west coast of Cotentin to boats stopping over, after the passage of the Cap de Flamanville and its steep cliffs.
Starting point for an immense white sand beach, a stop is essential at Sciotot to enjoy this fantastic nautical play area, leading to the Pointe du Rozel, where the path leads to the summit to the statue of Maris Stella, Our Lady of the Sailors. Discover the fabulous view of the Cotentin coast and the Channel Islands.
CAP DE CARTERET
Following the extraordinary Hatainville dune massif, which unfolds its enchantments up to the romantic ruins of the old church, the path rises to the Cape Carteret, dominated by his Lighthouse eponym. Treat yourself to an exceptional viewpoint from its summit with a view overlooking the sea, the Ecrehou archipelago and the island of Jersey.
Perhaps you will see a few goats climbing the steep cliffs, the peregrine falcon or even the common raven who have taken up residence on these shale and sandstone escarpments.
BARNEVILLE-CARTERET
Take the ledge which overlooks the Potinière beach, famous for its alignment of white and blue bathing cabins, witnesses of the great era of sea bathing at the end of the 19th century, and which still makes the city famous. Barneville-Carteret, seaside resort on the Côte des Isles, classified as a tourist resort.
Enjoy the pleasures of the sea at high tide, to practice water activities with or without the supervision of sailing schools, or at low tide from the beach and fishing on foot. From the port, embark for a stopover on British soil until the Channel Islands all close. Taste them gastronomic specialties of Cotentin in one of the restaurants of this fishing port, gateway to the Route des Havres, dominated by elegant villas, which give the place its charm.
In Barneville-plage, the promenade along the coast invites you to stroll and relax. Happiness is here!
PORT-LEASE-SUR-MER
The haven of Port-Bail-sur-Mer will be your next stopover. Located on a Roman road, this charming coastal village, set on either side of salt meadows and grasslands. It is crossed by its atypical bridge with its 13th arches, over which the fortified bell tower of the Notre-Dame church watches over, now deconsecrated and a venue for cultural exhibitions.
Also worth discovering is the baptistery, a curiosity of the Côte des Isles from the 6th century.
From the promenade along this natural space which lives to the rhythm of tides, you see the Lindbergh dune massif, also accessible by the small bridge located at a place called La Rivière.
THE LINDBERGH DUNES
Once past the footbridge, submersible by tidal coefficient greater than 80, you enter this fragile dune space, natural protection against the penetration of the sea into the land. Formed by the accumulation of sand, the Lindbergh dunes extend over more than 80 hectares. In order to preserve this fragile environment threatened by the wind and the sea, the oyats are planted to stabilize the dunes. On your route, be sure to follow the markings so as not to trample the vegetation of this unique natural site.
SAINT-SAUVEUR-LE-VICOMTE
Head inland to reach the Cider Route to Clos du Cotentin. Discover an English fortress in Normandy.
This first historic stop takes you to the foot of the fortress of Geoffroy d'Harcourt, one of the most powerful lords of Normandy and hero of the Hundred Years' War. THE medieval castle of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte has retained its fortified enclosure, flanked by 12th and 14th century towers and dominated by an imposing keep. Take advantage of guided tours so you don’t miss anything of this exceptional heritage site! Highlight of each summer, the medieval festival from August 15, where the city lives to the rhythm of ancestral traditions.
Labeled Green Station, the city of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte, nestled in the heart of Cotentin and Bessin marshes, offers many leisure and relaxation activities, such as canoeing and kayaking from its leisure center located on the banks of the Douve. Go for a hike or mountain bike ride in Saint-Sauveur national forest until Mont de Besneville, culminating at an altitude of 116 m, where your steps will lead you through mysterious landscapes of woods and moors. A nature discovery trail and an arboretum in the heart of this wooded area of more than 233 hectares offer, each season, new colors and a wonderful play space.
VALOGNES
A must-see heritage stopover in Cotentin, Valognes will delight history buffs with its castles, mansions, museums, listed churches, during guided tours and conferences offered by speakers from the Country of Art and History of Clos du Cotentin. Get lost in the alleys and let the charm work. The city is also marked by the presence of Gallo-Roman remains, on its Alauna site, an ancient Gallic city of the Unelles tribe, whose thermal baths ruins still remain today. Take advantage of the harnessed car rides to discover this heritage to the rhythm of the hooves.
Before leaving Valognes, gourmands will stop at theBenedictine abbey, to enjoy the fruit jellies made by the sisters.
To find out everything about the emblematic drink of Normandy, a visit to cider museum imposes itself. the Cotentin Cider, from the apple orchards that flourish in the bocage very present in the Clos du Cotentin, is protected by a Controlled Designation of Origin. We call a bocage a region where the fields and meadows are enclosed by embankments carrying hedges delimiting the plots. Hiking along these typical Normandy landscapes is an invitation to daydream…
THE BRIX FOREST
The Brix forest once extended between Cherbourg and Valognes. Covering an area of 7 hectares around 000, it has continued to be divided and cleared over the centuries. A large number of century-old tree trunks were used during the construction work of the Cherbourg harbor, notably for the manufacture of cones, serving as a foundation for the construction of the dike at the end of the 18th century. Indeed, the French royal navy was reorganized at this time in the face of the English threat and the strategic site of Cherbourg was chosen for the construction of a large military port.
To date, there remains only a group of scattered woods to discover during walks in the undergrowth. Let your imagination wander as you wander through the little hollow paths conducive to myths and legends. Take advantage of hikes organized so as not to get lost in the “hunts” frequented by the Cotentin goubelins…
BRICQUEBEC-EN-COTENTIN
Its name, like many sites and hamlets in Cotentin, takes its origin from the Viking epic at the beginning of the 10th century: Bricebec, in Old Norse brekka, hill, and bekkr, stream.
Architectural treasure of Clos du Cotentin, the Bricquebec-en-Cotentin castle impresses with its polygonal-shaped dungeon, unique in Europe. Rebuilt in the 1532th and 1th centuries, it offers an example of medieval military architecture. During the Renaissance it became the place of a brilliant and refined court. In XNUMX, Francis Ier was received there by one of the most illustrious families of the Norman aristocracy of the time, the Estoutevilles. A little away from the city, the Trappe Abbey, founded in 1824, welcomes a community of Cistercian monks and offers not only celestial foods... notably cold meats.
Discover this charming and lively town during the guided tours offered by the Country of Art and History of Cotentin. Not far from there, the Bois des Roches in Rocheville is the highest place of megalithism in Cotentin. Marked by the presence of several covered paths, there is a mysterious atmosphere of enchanting undergrowth on this site. There you will come across stones with the evocative names of Covered Alley, Pierre aux Druides, Dolmen de la Table des Fées… Get lost on this site where small secret passages open between these monumental rock blocks and the lush vegetation.