Our favourite family days out in the Manche| Manche Tourism

1

Try sand yachting

Excitement guaranteed

The beaches of La Manche are the perfect playground, and a top spot for sand yachting. At Utah Beach, on the beaches of the Côte des Havres or near Granville, a number of watersports centres provide introductory sessions to this high-speed sport.

Make sure you have suitable clothing and a helmet, and head to the beach with your sand yacht, accompanied by an instructor. For two hours, you’ll learn how to move, turn and accelerate with the wind in your sails! The advantages of sand yachting are that it requires no specific knowledge, making it accessible to everyone, and it’s a year-round activity.

Nautical activities for families

2

Crossing the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

Watch out for the quicksand!

Le Mont Saint-Michel

Do you want to try this unique experience with your children? Good news, it’s entirely possible! Several certified guides propose family friendly outings in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel. From three years of age, children can discover the pleasure of feeling the sand between their toes and the cold water on their legs. Both fun and informative, these walks range from 2 to 4 km and are a good way to spend time together while learning new things and having fun. They’re also a great opportunity to get some fresh air and to show your children the immensity and beauty of the bay. What’s not to love?

Crossing the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel

3

Champrépus Zoo

An exotic adventure

Champreprus

Just 20 minutes from Granville, Champrépus Zoo is a magical place for animal and nature lovers. Giraffes, zebras, tigers, red pandas and parrots: there are more than 300 animals waiting for your children amid luxurious vegetation. You can also walk through certain parts of the zoo for a completely immersive experience. Watch out in the mini farm, the goats will run up to you looking for something to nibble! And don’t miss the exciting lemur enclosure, where you can get up close to these little primates as they go about their daily business.
With different events, restaurants and playgrounds, a day at Champrépus Zoo is great fun for all the family.

We’ll tell you all about Champrépus Zoo

4

La Cité de la Mer

Dive to the bottom of the sea

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin

For more than 20 years, this museum has given visitors the opportunity to explore the ocean depths and to find out about humankind’s adventures under the sea. Situated in the old transatlantic liner terminal in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, La Cité de la Mer invites you to dive to the bottom of the sea!

Visit the submarine Le Redoutable and immerse yourself in the daily life of the submariners as you explore their living spaces (cabins, cafeteria, torpedo room, and so on.).

The journey continues with a fun exhibition, the Ocean of the Future. Multimedia displays, an abyssal aquarium, cylindrical tanks, a touch pool and films all help you to understand the fragility of the ocean.

With artefacts found in the wreck and an original scenography, you can relive the legend of the Titanic, its voyage and its tragic sinking. Finally, don’t miss the unique collection of deep-sea exploratory submarines.

La Cité de la Mer

Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

5

La Maison du parc

Grab your binoculars

Carentan-les-Marais

If you fancy exploring the Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin Regional Nature Park, head to La Maison du Parc.

It sits in the 100 acres of protected marshland at Ponts d’Ouve, a fabulous place for a family walk in any season.
A fun 1 km discovery trail leads through the heart of the marshes and along the lake. 5 birdwatching observatories are found along the trail, with information, fun educational resources and a cabinet of curiosities, making it perfectly adapted to children. Throughout the year, family activities and guided tours are available.

Bonus: La Maison du Parc has bikes for hire (from June to September).

Suggestions for nature outings

6

Cara-Meuh Farm

A tasty visit

Vains

In the heart of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, this family dairy farm will reveal the secrets of their famous caramels. On the free and instructive visit, you’ll get to meet the animals (hens, calves, deer, pigs, etc.), discover the dairy museum and visit the caramel factory.

To find out all about the history and running of this ethical farm, you can take a guided tour. At the end of the visit, head to the shop to buy your picnic, then relax in the garden with a tasty lunch (tables, chairs and parasols available). In summer, you can buy delicious local drinks, home-made crêpes and farm ice cream.

At 5.30 p.m., don’t miss the farm’s 150 cows being milked, which children love. A great day out with the family!

Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

7

Ange Michel amusement park

More than 40 attractions in a natural setting

Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët

This is a perfect family day out ! With exciting attractions and gentler rides for little ones, there’s something for everyone. Just 30 minutes from Mont Saint-Michel, Ange Michel has water slides, rollercoasters, flying sidecars, bumper boats, a 7D cinema, and much more.

The park is in the heart of a natural setting and also offers laser tag sessions in the woods. While older kids try this exciting outdoor activity, the little ones can go for a pony ride or pet the animals at the mini farm. Great fun guaranteed!

On site: picnic area, baby changing, lockers, restaurant, snack bar and shop.

Reserve

8

D-Day Experience museum

Immerse yourself in the Battle of Normandy

Carentan-les-Marais

Do you want to take the opportunity during your holidays to explain D-Day to your children?
One of the many museums dedicated to this turning point in history, D-Day Experience in Carentan-les-Marais is both fun and instructive.

With interactive displays, a flight simulator, a 3D film and artefacts from the time, the museum is a great option with kids.
Prepare your visit by printing the school guides available; a good way to spend time with your family while learning about this moment in history.

Good to know: the museum offers a pass for families with two or three children.

D-Day sites with your family

9

Ludiver Planetarium

Stars in your eyes

La Hague

How many stars are there in the sky? Why does the sun shine? Can we go to the moon? It’s not always easy to answer your children’s questions.
After visiting Ludiver, you’ll know all about astronomy and space exploration.

Everything is done here so that children, from three years of age, can have fun learning about the universe and stargazing. Don’t miss the planetarium session: a voyage into the Milky Way, with 7 000 stars above your head!

In the museum, head off to explore the solar system, with models, tablets and much more: an interactive space where you can learn in a fun way. Before leaving, have a peep at the solar system through the 600 mm telescope. Who knows, maybe your visit will inspire a future career!

Bonus: Ludiver organises workshops and events for families, a great way to spend time with your children, whatever their age.

Ludiver

10

A family bike ride

Head off on an adventure

With more than 1 200 km of cycle routes and 230 km of greenways, La Manche is an ideal place to go cycling.
With your family, the towpaths and greenways are easy, accessible and safe routes for a bike ride with children. Along these routes, you’ll find picnic tables and lovely viewpoints that will motivate the troops to keep going!

Why not try a cycling holiday, following the Véloscénie, the Vélomaritime or the Véloroute from the D-Day beaches to Mont Saint-Michel? An unforgettable experience for your children.

Go cycling in La Manche