Camping Manche

Things to do when camping in Manche

While the countryside is primed for relaxing outdoor escapes, there are plenty of activities and attractions to fill your camping holiday in Manche.

No visit to Normandy would be complete without a day trip to behold the mystery and magnificence of Mont-Saint-Michel. The island commune is home to the UNESCO listed Benedictine Abbey and can be reached on foot, by shuttle bus or on horse and carriage. Once on the island, visitors can delve into the architectural splendour and history of the abbey’s buildings that include a refectory, church and cloisters.

The department’s most recent history pertains to its role during the Second World War, so it’s no surprise to learn that there are numerous monuments and museums dedicated to the war. For interesting insights into WW2, spend some time at the Utah Beach Landing Museum, Omaha Beach, D-Day Experience and the Airborne Museum.

The coast of the department meets the waters of the English Channel in a beautiful marriage of blissful beaches, captivating headlands, cliffs and scenic shoreline walking trails. The GR34 long-distance footpath runs through Manche from where walkers and hikers can enjoy stunning views of the sea.

A few museums dedicated to the department’s relationship with the sea can be found in Manche, with top picks found at Cité de la Mer and Tatihou Maritime Museum.

Typically found in the heart of the region, many castles and château emerge gracefully from the landscape. Ranging from the very old and mostly ruinous to the well preserved and opulent, Manche is home to some stunning examples. Our recommendations are Château de Nacqueville, Château de Pirou, Château de Gratot and Ravalet Castle.

Arguably upstaged by its blossoming botanical gardens, Château de Vauville is a fantastic day trip for horticultural lovers. Featuring over 900 semi-tropical species of flowering plants, the garden whisks you away to what feels like a different planet.

Home to generations of friendly Normans, the seaside towns of Manche are the perfect place to get a feel for the culture and cuisine of the department. Barfleur is a very pretty town with a fishing port and colourful quayside. The less rustic and more elegant town of Granville, referred to as the “Monaco of North”, boasts the lovely sands of Plage du Plat Gousset and the chic Christian Dior museum.

On a camping trip in Manche with your little ones, ensure you add a few kid-friendly activities onto your itinerary. Young campers will be entertained and educated at the Alligator Bay Reptile Park and Champrépus Zoo.