Summer outdoor guinguettes
Our top spots for laid-back summer moments
La Manche is full of great places to get together and enjoy the summer. Whether it’s a beach bar, a village café or an open-air guinguette, these lively venues offer a welcoming, festive atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the sunset, a glass of cider or some live music.
By a river, in the countryside or at the heart of a picturesque village, discover the guinguettes that make the perfect setting for unforgettable summer moments.
La guinguette de la Chapelle
Spend the summer unwinding on the banks of the River Vire at the charming Guinguette de la Chapelle. Stop by for a drink, enjoy a sharing platter and sample some local produce — this new go-to spot is sure to become a firm favourite.
With its laid-back atmosphere, riverside setting and nearby children’s play area, this is set to be a popular spot this summer.
Open all summer: Wednesdays from 2.00 pm to 10.00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12.00 noon to 10.00 pm.
La guinguette des marais
Set on the banks of the Douve in the heart of the Cotentin marshes, the Guinguette des Marais is the perfect spot to unwind in a beautiful natural setting.
During the day, enjoy a drink by the landing stage or relax in the shade of the trees. At lunchtime and in the evening, legs of lamb, rib steaks and Camemberts are cooked over the brazier, with sharing platters, snacks and sweet treats also available.
Open: Wednesday lunchtime to Sunday lunchtime in April, May, June and September. In July and August, open every lunchtime, as well as on Friday and Saturday evenings.
La Guinguette de la Minoterie
In Quettreville-sur-Sienne, a former derelict industrial building has been transformed into a welcoming community venue. A shop, bar, exhibition space and summer guinguette all share the site.
At La Minoterie, you can sample cider, perry and apple juice made on site, as well as organic wines, cocktails and locally produced tapas.
Every Friday evening, free concerts create a lively atmosphere at this welcoming riverside venue on the Sienne.
Open: Wednesday to Friday from 4.30 pm to 10.30 pm, from 10 July to 28 August.
le marché bio des Enfants de Choeur
Every Wednesday evening, the Enfants de Chœur organic market brings Agon to life.
Spend the evening discovering local organic producers, enjoying live music and sampling something tasty from the food trucks outside Agon’s little church.
You can enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards with a beer or a glass of wine from the Enfants de Chœur café cellar, pick up fresh vegetables, bread and herbs, and soak up the atmosphere with a free concert or DJ set.
Open: every Wednesday in July and August from 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm.
À la bonheur
À la Bonheur has set up its gourmet container near the Mont Saint-Michel dam, and it’s a real hidden gem!
Settle into a deckchair with views of Mont Saint-Michel and the bay, sip a local beer, and treat yourself to a delicious cookie or a sharing platter.
This summer, the dam’s spectacular setting comes alive with concerts, theatre performances, DJ sets and dance nights.
Open: every day from 11.00 am to 9.00 pm.
La maison trop cool
This charming 1950s house feels like a home away from home. Sylvie and Louisa have turned it into a welcoming place where people can meet, connect and enjoy time together.
There’s always something different going on here. During the week, local groups organise theatre, ceramics, dance and drawing workshops, while weekends are all about live music, performances, karaoke, music quizzes and film nights. Around a hundred board games, a selection of books and an arcade machine all add to the fun!
Food-wise, La Maison Trop Cool serves sharing platters, pizzas, ice creams and local drinks.
Open: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in April, May, June and September, and Wednesday to Sunday in July and August.
La guinguette du P'tit Bois
Set in the lovely surroundings of the old Vezins dam in the south of La Manche, the Guinguette du P’tit Bois is hosting five festive events this summer.
From concerts and live performances to exhibitions and special evenings, each event offers a chance to get together, experience something new, and share memorable moments over a drink or a burger.
Open: 4 and 18 July, 1 and 15 August, and 5 September, from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm.
Pop-up guinguettes
Throughout La Manche, guinguettes and events are popping up for summer nights and weekends.
- Until 29 August, the Guinguette des Assos will be livening up the quays at the Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Every week from Thursday to Sunday, local associations take turns organising entertainment, a bar and food trucks.
- On 17 July in Percy, the Cancan Café summer guinguette is hosting a free evening of theatre and live music in the garden, with food trucks and a bar on site.
- Every year in Carolles, la Guinguette de Serge pays tribute to Serge Lelièvre, a singer and guitarist from La Manche: a festive evening to celebrate music!
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Hambye Abbey
