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The region of the Cotentin is also great wild space with magnificent sites to admire and visit.

In the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, a few minutes walk from the campsite, you can visit the Cotentin Farm-Museum (https://www.manche.fr/patrimoine/ferme-musee-cotentin-N.aspx) . An old manor farm from the beginning of the 20th century showing the everyday life and atmosphere of this time. Often accompanied by themed workshops for children (eg: making your own churned butter …), exhibitions and activities.

The seaside is 10 km from the campsite in the town of Ravenoville-Plage. You can enjoy swimming and contemplate the tiny cabins of Ravenoville. Shellfish and crustacean fishing is practiced during periods of high tides.

Marshland park of Carentan (https://parc-cotentin-bessin.fr/)

The park covers nearly 150,000 ha and brings together 150 municipalities. This rural territory, between unspoiled landscapes of bocage, flood prairies, moors and coastline, offers a tremendous diversity of flora and fauna recognized at international level. In winter, rivers overflow their beds, the meadows turn into vast bodies of water, the marsh is said to “turn white”. In summer, herds of cattle and horses occupy the meadows, the hay will then be mown.

In this park you can hike and cycle. You can also visit La Maison du Parc du Marais (https://parc-cotentin-bessin.fr/maison-du-parc) and sail with the crew of the Bateliers des Marais (https://www.decouvertemarais.com/ ) to discover the fauna, flora, history and activities of these places.

Tatihou’s island in Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue (https://www.manche.fr/tatihou/)

The island has various facets: it is an ornithological site with more than 150 species of birds to observe, thematic gardens, a museum, a fort and a Vauban Tower erected in 1694 and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can get there for the day from the port of Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue and reach the island on an amphibious boat that sails at high tide and rolls at low tide.

Barfleur (https://www.barfleur.fr/)

This village is part of the association of the most beautiful villages in France, with its port and its stone houses.

Gatteville Lighthouse (http://www.phare-de-gatteville.fr/).

Located on land, 2 kilometers north of the port of Barfleur, it is the 2nd highest lighthouse in Europe. Its internal staircase and 365 steps to climb await you to contemplate, from the top of the upper outer platform, a magnificent panoramic view of the Channel Sea, over the entire North Cotentin bocage and the Calvados coast.

You can take advantage of your visit to Cotentin to visit unique panoramas: Port Racine, Cap de la Hague with the tiny port of Goury and the nose of Jobourg.

On your way to Cap de la Hague, you can stop at Port Racine, the smallest port in France. It is reserved for canoes 5.50 m long and 2 m wide. The surrounding landscapes are reminiscent of the Irish coast. You can go for a walk or a hike by following the coastal path, the GR 223.

Between the Cap de la Hague and the Nose de Jobourg, the highest cliffs in Europe are open to you. The landscapes are particularly wild and breathtakingly beautiful.

The west coast is also worth a detour with its must-sees: the towns of Portbail and Barneville-Carteret. You can swim and enjoy the immense beach of Barneville-Carteret (https://www.manchetourisme.com/barneville-carteret), surrounded by unspoiled dunes.

 

The Cotentin is ideal for hiking and cycling.Here are some examples of itineraries that we can recommend:

  • Biking :
    • The Vélomaritime (Euro Vélo 4) (https://www.lavelomaritime.fr/), a few kilometers from the campsite, you can join this peaceful and marked route which undulates between the coast and the bocage all around the Cotentin
    • The Historical Bikeroute « D-Day beached – Mont Saint-Michel », 230km between Utah Beach and the Mont-Saint-Michel (https://www.manchetourisme.com/circuit-velo-debarquement-normandie)
    • A whole network of very quiet small roads, many tailor-made itineraries can be recommended to you at the campsite reception
  • Hiking :
    • 4 interpretation trails within the Marais Natural Park
    • The trails of Saint-Michel with the footsteps of “Les Miquelots” pilgrims, the route starts from Barfleur via Sainte-Mère-Église then Carentan and ends at Mont-Saint-Michel.
    • The tour of Cotentin or customs trails GR223 (https://www.manchetourisme.com/gr223): a pedestrian route along the coasts of the Cotentin peninsula, 430 km long, connecting Carentan to Mont-Saint-Michel

If you like castles, there are several to visit in the Cotentin and near Sainte-Mère-Église:

By being based in Sainte-Mère-Église, you are close to major sites, not to be missed in our department:

La Pointe du Hoc (https://www.calvados-tourisme.com/offre/site-de-la-pointe-du-hoc/)

A place steeped in history since it was stormed on the morning of June 6, 1944 by Colonel Rudder’s Rangers. It is also a magnificent place with a beautiful panorama, 40 minutes by car from the campsite.

Le Mont-Saint-Michel (https://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/)

This must-see site is 1h15 from the campsite. It has the particularity of being built on a rocky islet, surrounded by a magnificent bay, the scene of the highest tides in continental Europe. The Mount and its bay are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can take the time to visit the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

The Channel Islands (https://www.manchetourisme.com/iles-anglo-normandes)

Departing from Barneville-Carteret, 40 minutes from the campsite, you can embark on a boat to Jersey or Guernsey, islands belonging to England.