Normandy-La Manche : Excursions

Towns & Cities

Coutances - the religious and judicial centre of the Cotentin Peninsula.
Avranches - the ancient town where Henry II offered penance for ordering the assassination of Thomas Becket.
Cherbourg - an important naval base / port having the War and Liberation Museum. The Cité de la Mer features the deepest aquarium in Europe.
Granville - a fortified port and popular seaside resort with some fine 16th, 17th and 18th Century buildings.
Villedieu-les-Poêles - an attractive small town and a centre for copper production since the 13th century.

History & Landmarks

Mont St Michel - known as the 'Merveille des Merveilles', Mont St Michel is a mecca for schools visiting North West France.
The Museum of Airborne Troops - at St Mère Église

Special Interest

Cider and Calvados production.
The Bell Foundry & Copper Workshop.
Nuclear Power Station.
Oyster Production.
Cheese Production.
Cured Ham Production.
Trout Farming. Pottery.
Sweet Factory.

Leisure

Bowling - at St Lô and Granville.
Parc Zoologique de Champrepus - a zoo located just 20km from Granville containing 90 species of animal (closed during Winter).
Alligator Bay - a 2500m2 tropical reptile house accommodating the largest groups of alligators in Europe.
Cité de la Mer, Cherbourg - features the deepest aquarium in Europe and France's first ever nuclear submarine.
Indoor heated swimming pools - at Granville and Cherbourg.

Longer Full Day Excursions

The Emerald Coast In North Brittany - visit St Malo's castle & ramparts which have been restored following the devastation of WWII.
Bayeux and The Bayeux Tapestry - the story of William and Harold is brought to life by a visit to the legendary Bayeux Tapestry. The exhibition is preceded by two audio-visual displays and a full explanation of the historic events pictured in the tapestry.
The Normandy Landing Beaches - follow the 'Circuit du Débarquement', a signposted route along Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah landing beaches. Major places of interest en route include: the Mulberry Harbour and 1944 D-Day Landings Museum at Arromanches; the American Military Cemetery at Colleville and the 1944 Battle of Normandy Museum at Bayeux.