Frequently Asked Questions

Cotentin is in the Manche department, in Normandy.

You can come by train, by car, by boat, by plane… all the info is here

You can find the tide calendars here.

Every day the sea rises and falls twice, this is called the tide. We will explain everything to you on this page.

The Tourist Office provides you with various free wifi spots. You can find the map of these hotspots here.

Market days in Cotentin vary depending on the city. You can find the details of every market here.

Yes we have several:

• the tourist map
• The hiking map
• the must-see map

Yes, we are deploying our webcam fleet throughout Cotentin, you will find them all here

The cruise stopover program at the Port of Cherbourg is available here.

No. A liner, just like a plane or a train, is a means of transport. You must be a passenger to be able to gain access.

Accommodations along the trail are on this page

You can find the bike loops directly on this page  or in the Tourist Information Offices.

The Cotentin offers a diversity of itineraries, on hiking trails, the GR®223, or the “customs officers’ path”. You will be able to find all the necessary information here.

No, the trail is exclusively pedestrian, impassable even by mountain bike and is also protected. On the other hand, there are cycle loops not far from the trails. Click here and use the filters according to your type of practice (mountain bike/mountain bike/road bike, etc.)

Find bike rental companies here

The Cotentin and its three coasts offer you a multitude of water activities. You can find them by clicking here.

Looking find them here

You can find all the must-see places in the city in the brochure “The essentials".

You can buy your tickets directly at the Tourist Information Offices, on this site or at the Cité de la Mer ticket office. Allow half a day for your visit.

Contrary to legend, William the Conqueror did not know the leopard coat of arms. It was his heirs from the Plantagenet dynasty and more particularly Richard Coeur who, in addition to dragons of Viking origin, began to use these symbols of strength, bravery and nobility so consistent with the medieval ideal.

Henry II's son, Richard the Lionheart, used a new coat of arms on his return from the crusade, giving birth to the coat of arms with three leopards7. One of the reasons given to explain this choice would be the addition of the two Norman leopards of his father Henry II and the Aquitaine leopard of his mother Eleanor. This thesis is however not proven since no period document mentions the use of a leopard coat of arms by Eleanor or Aquitaine. Over time, wars and conquests, leopards disappear and then reappear. It was only in the XNUMXth century that the Norman coat of arms took its final form with two leopards, while island Normandy kept three.

Coat of arms of the city of Cherbourg: azure with a silver fess charged with three stars of six spokes sable, accompanied by three gold bezants.
The origin of the coat of arms is uncertain.
According to some it is of religious origin: the silver fess loaded with stars represents the belt of Mary, one of the two patronesses of the city and the number of stars, like that of the bezants, evokes the Trinity, the the other protector of the city. The gold bezants would be the expression of the redemption of the captives, illustrating the participation of Cherbourg notables in the Third Crusade.
Concerning the exterior ornaments, the wall crown symbolizes protection and happiness, the caduceus commerce and activity, the olive tree peace, the oak force, recalling both the military and commercial vocation of the port. Silver means that Cherbourg was a second class city under the Empire.

After 20 days of combat Cherbourg was liberated on June 26, 1944 by American troops. However, a few pockets of German resistance remained here and there, the last pocket was silenced on Saturday July 1.

The objective was to use the port to amplify and accelerate the unloading of equipment and supplies. This capture proved crucial for the supply of allied troops engaged on the Western Front. Until the accesses to the port of Antwerp were liberated in November 1944, Cherbourg was the most active port in the world, from where fuel (PLUTO) arrived for the front and from where men and women left for the fighting. equipment.

The ancient Gallic village of Valognes was then named Alauna, nicknamed since the 17th century the “little Norman Versailles” thanks to its private mansions. Indeed, during the 17th and 18th centuries, the capital of Clos du Cotentin concentrated a considerable bourgeoisie and nobility, for whom numerous private mansions were built.

To name just one, the Beaumont hotel is the most beautiful private mansion built in Valognes

The origins of the word Tatihou as other nouns in -hou can be explained by the Old Norse hólmr "islet, meadow at the water's edge". The first element Tati- is explained by the Old Norse (and Old Danish) personal name Tati (variant Tatti).

Crossings depend on tide times and sea conditions.

Parking, opposite the ferry terminal, is free. If you wish to rent a covered and private pitch, you can contact one of our reception offices for contact details.

Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney have obtained the lifting of the passport requirement for French nationals traveling directly and non-stop for the day.

Round trip day : if you book a direct non-stop trip and you are a French national, your valid nationality identity card is sufficient (adults, children, babies). For any other nationality, a valid passport remains mandatory.

*attention* extended national identity cards (10 years + 5 years) are no longer accepted.

Single : if you book a one-way or one-way return from France to the Channel Islands, a valid passport is required (regardless of your nationality).

Return trip during stay (1 night minimum): if you book a stay from France to the Channel Islands, a valid passport is required (regardless of your nationality).

*attention* the passport remains mandatory for any indirect journey with a stopover for the day in Guernsey and Sark (via Jersey).

Crossings are operated regularly from Cotentin departing from Barneville-Carteret and Diélette.

Find all the informations on the site www.manche-iles.com and on that of Alderney Ferry

Depending on weather conditions, companies reserve the right to cancel crossings.