“Stations Vertes” in la Manche

This town is nestled in the Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin Regional Nature Park. It has the oldest castle still standing in la Manche. Discover the ruins of the old fortifications, watched over by a massive keep built by the King of England during the Hundred Years’ War. In this little haven of greenery on the Cotentin Peninsula, there are plenty of activities available: canoeing and kayaking, archery, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, a treetop adventure, fishing, a medieval fair, and much more.

Bonus: The Forest of Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte with its ancient trees, including beech, holly and Scots pine. It’s one of the only forests in la Manche that’s open to the public, and is well worth a visit!

Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte

This pretty seaside resort near Coutances sits between two tidal inlets, in Regnéville-sur-Mer and Blainville-sur-Mer. It has vast stretches of grassland and heathland where freshwater meets saltwater, providing some unique spots for a walk. There’s also golf, watersports, tennis, a racetrack, a riding centre, and sporting events, making Agon-Coutainville a perfect place for sport and nature lovers.

Bonus: If you want to go off the beaten track, head to the peaceful rural setting of Essay lake in Agon-Coutainville, where you’ll find pedalos, a playground, a picnic area and fishing: perfect for a day out.

Agon-Coutainville

Situated at the crossroads between Normandy, Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët is a great place to reconnect with nature. You can go hiking along the greenway or fishing at Le Prieuré lake. History lovers can walk through the streets to see the houses that date back to the post-war reconstruction, and on Wednesdays, you can try some local specialities at one of the biggest markets in la Manche.

Bonus: Every year in November, the town hosts the centuries-old Saint-Martin fair. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, to meet producers and craftspeople from the area and to try some tasty treats made in la Manche.

Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët

In the south of la Manche, Brécey welcomes you to a lovely setting in the heart of the Sée Valley. The surrounding hills form an ideal playground for mountain bikers: there are 16 trails with different levels of difficulty, where you can escape the bustle and test your limits. On Friday mornings, head to the weekly market to try the famous “galette saucisse”, an unmissable local speciality.

Bonus: Brécey lake is a gorgeous spot in a peaceful rural setting. Enjoy a nice walk there, far from the crowds. Get your picnic at the market and sit down to eat by the water’s edge!

Mountain bike in Brécey