Coutances
Coutances is a charming town and a great place for a holiday with family or friends at any time of year in the Manche region of Normandy.
What to do in Coutances
It is ideally situated for having fun, exploring the region and relaxing surrounded by nature. Between Portbail, Saint-Lô and Granville, Coutances is within easy reach of all the major cultural attractions of the Manche region.
Coutances has plenty of activities for visitors of all ages to liven up a holiday in Lower Normandy. Shore and rockpool fishing are popular as is classic fishing. As Normandy is the cradle of horse riding, there are lots of riding centres offering lessons and rides along the sandy beaches.
There are bike rides around and lots of footpaths near the town for walking or running.
Other activities include diving, ice skating, skimboarding and a range of water sports. In fact, you can do a different sport every day ! 15 kilometres from Coutances, discover the delightful, family-friendly seaside resort of Agon Coutainville, with fine sandy beaches, gastronomic restaurants, cultural and sporting activities.
Gourmet food from Normandy
During your gite holiday in Coutances, take the opportunity to discover gourmet food from Normandy. Between seafood and a wide choice of local specialities, there are plenty of delicious foods to try including camembert, AOC (PDO) Cotentin cider, local biscuits and cakes.
Sightseeing in and around Coutances
Coutances has a rich cultural heritage with lots of interesting places to visit like the Cathedral. Outside the town you can visit the Manoir Saussey and its magnificent gardens, the Musée Quesnel Morinière (Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology of Coutances) and the Maillard fishery trap at Hauteville sur mer.
A little further away from Coutances, Mont-Saint-Michel is an extraordinary attraction steeped in history. You can walk across the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel with a guide who will explain how to avoid the infamous sinking sands as well as many of the legends surrounding the area.