Department Manche hotels - Book hotels in France at great rates

The Département Manche is in northern France in the Region Basse-Normandie. The region is named after the English Channel, which the French call La Manche (the sleeve). Cherbourg is a busy port and was once the calling point for the tran-Atlantic liners. The mild climate encourages many exotic plants to grow in the Parc Emmanuel Liais, whilst the Musée Thomas Henry displays works of the Italian and Dutch old masters.

The Montagne de Roul offers a good view over the countryside. The peninsular of Corentin juts out into the Channel offering a truly rural landscape and excellent sea views. The cathedral of Notre-Dame in Coutances is an interesting building to see. Nearby are also the famous D-Day landing beaches with many museums.

Villedieu les Poeles is famous for its traditional workshops making all kinds of copper pots and the nearby rocky island of Mont St. Michel should not be missed. It is one of the most famous and inteesting sights in France The Mont is reached by a causeway which floods at very high tide – observe the notices about parking carefully! The monastery on Mont St. Michel is said to have been founded by Archbishop Aubert of Avranches in the 8th Century after the Archangel Michael had appeared to him. Of particular interest in the abbey church are the north wing, the Knights‘ Hall and the cloisters.

The small town of Granville with its port has a small local museum in the Large Gate and from here it is also possible to cross to Jersey in the Channel Islands by boat. Deauville is counted as one of the most fashionable seaside resorts with its sailing regattas, horse racing and casino.

Population: 489 500 (2006)

Main towns: Cherbourg, Coutances, Granville