Immense natural spaces preserved by the sea, small charming and quiet villages, seaside activities accessible to all: here is a coastal area 100% natural and discreet. The shores of the Coutances Mer et Bocage community of municipalities, about twenty kilometers west of the Manche department, are surprising in more ways than one.
A territory in the heart of the Manche
It may not be the best known of Normandy, but this territory is one of the wildest. You are here in the south of the Cotentin. To the north, the rest of the peninsula of the same name stretches to Cherbourg, 80 kilometers away. To the south, Granville and, above all, the Mont-Saint-Michel, 70 kilometers away. Here, the sea faces you, and the Channel Islands appear in the distance
The tide that shapes the coastline and offers various possibilities
Venturing to the seaside within a few hours of each other means discovering two completely different landscapes. Here, the tides, which are among the most important in Europe, set the pace for your day. Twice a day, the sea covers the foreshore, rushes into the harbors and then, 6 hours later, it withdraws far, sometimes very far, discovering thousands of hectares of fine sandy beaches suitable for swimming, thus drying up the harbors. The discovered expanses are immense, and the beach is almost for you alone. Here, no superfluous: the beach, the sea and you! There are many sports enthusiasts: sand yachting or kitesurfing, kayaking or skimboarding, running or horseback riding, the beach becomes a vast playground at low tide. The associations and water sports clubs offer many activities. In parallel, carefully delimited areas are dedicated to oyster farming. You will be able to visit them, sometimes even pulled by a team of horses or in a towed trailer, and discover the know-how in the matter, from the visit of the workshops to the shucking demonstrations, without forgetting of course the tasting! Finally, lovers of fishing on foot know these places well. As accessible as it is regulated, this leisure activity allows you to find clams, cockles or clams, and even lobsters near the rocks during high tidal ranges. And if you prefer to savor them, oyster bars and restaurants welcome you
Harbors that intrigue
Estuaries for waterways, harbors are above all natural coastal shelters. Vast stretches of marine water fed by the tides, protected by a sandbank sometimes forming a dune belt, the harbors line the coast. Reserves of biodiversity, they discover, at low tide, meadows known as salted here. The west coast of the Cotentin has eight of them, half of which are in the Coutances Mer et Bocage area. Regnéville, the most important one, covers 1,800 hectares and is a very popular beaching port. During high tides, the waves come into contact with the vegetation, and at low tide, it can be crossed by walking. It delimits the eastern part of the Pointe d'Agon, a classified area renowned for being one of the richest natural spaces in the department. Protected since 1989, the point offers a unique viewpoint. This same harbor is closed upstream by the Bridge of the Rock, several centuries old and of which some arches remain. Further on, the harbor of Geffosses is appreciated by birdwatchers and has a dedicated reserve. The one of Blainville-sur-Mer lives to the rhythm of the oyster farming activity. Finally, the harbor of La Vanlée, crossed by a submersible road, is separated from the sea by a long dune line, suitable for bathing activities. Finally, note that organized visits of the harbors are proposed, sometimes by local associations, or by guides.
Villages that seduce
The villages here have kept their old-fashioned look. Thus, Regnéville-sur-Mer has preserved its rich maritime past with beautiful residences, forming a whole crossed by small authentic streets. Its castle, right next to the harbor, has been partially restored. It is now the property of the Conseil départemental, and hosts many summer events. Beyond the village, small hamlets, sometimes located a few meters from the sea, can also be visited. In Gouville-sur-Mer, a century ago, small white cabins with colored roofs emerged from the dunes. Their purpose? To allow locals to deposit their fishing or beach equipment. These cabins come back to life every summer, when the deckchairs and other towels are brought out for the summer, because their function has also become bathing with time. There are about 70 of them today: the amateurs of original pictures to post on social networks are not mistaken, and the cabins are regularly highlighted
Hauteville-sur-Mer, in the south of the territory, is certainly unusual. This small seaside village offers you the advantages of a coastline that is ideal for swimming and sports activities. It also has beautiful houses that are worth a look. It is a lively place where you can eat and be entertained in complete tranquillity. Among the curiosities, the fishery "La Maillard". If you venture onto the beach at low tide, about two kilometers from the coast, you will see two wooden hedges forming a V shape, all coming together in a circle: simple and effective, this age-old system, still in use, allows to trap the fish. Guided tours are organized to discover this place. Only five fisheries still exist: in addition to "La Maillard", a second one is still in operation in Agon-Coutainville, and can be discovered during the "Anton's walk". In a towed trailer, in addition to the fishery, you can visit the oyster beds.
A path that runs along the coast
It follows the Channel shoreline, going around the department, and passes between dunes, beaches and harbors: the GR 223 trail stretches along a north-south trajectory. Regnéville-sur-Mer, Agon-Coutainville or Gouville-sur-Mer can be visited via their beaches. For a stopover, the dunes of Annoville are an ideal place to stop: for two kilometers, this line of sand, sometimes twenty meters high, delimits the sea and the marshes. Nature has formed small isolated areas within it, which evolve over time. This dune complex, preserved since 1966, has a discovery trail: 5 kilometers long, it is equipped with markers to better understand the fauna and flora. If you take it at the end of the day, the sunset is not to be missed
Agon-Coutainville, teeming with life
It is the largest seaside resort of these areas: Agon-Coutainville has everything of a big one, but on a human scale! If its frequentation increases in summer, it remains peaceful and family-oriented. Restaurants, stores, a racetrack and even a casino, combined with numerous accommodation offers, welcome you. The beautiful mansions, some of which are over a hundred years old, stretch along a vast waterfront. Among the city's annual events, running enthusiasts would not miss the Enduro des Sables for anything in the world: on the beach, at low tide, several circuits are offered. Beyond the natural spaces and the small towns that border the shore, the territory's heritage is also rich inland: Coutances cathedral, Gratot castle or Hambye abbey in particular. It is also a cultural land: the Jazz under the apple trees festival is held every year in Coutances, the famous musical event "Chauffer dans la noirceur" takes place in Montmartin-sur-Mer, and the seasons are punctuated by a varied program.
FUTURE INFO
When to come?
All seasons are beautiful here, depending on your desires. Summer is the time for seaside activities and discovering the harbors. Spring and autumn are perfect for enjoying the mild temperatures and the natural light of each season. Finally, in winter, you can enjoy even more these virgin spaces all to yourself. The tidal range is also a determining factor: the higher the tidal range, the more striking the spectacle of the harbors covered by the sea at high tide, and the more fruitful the fishing at low tide! This is why, in addition to the weather season, the tidal coefficient is also a determining factor for your visit.
Duration
Taking the time to discover the places while enjoying their quietness is worth a week. Some people take the time not to miss anything, and will stay longer. Others will come for a weekend: time to recharge the batteries!
Budget
On average between 60 and 80 € for a night in a hotel, and 15 to 20 € for a meal in a restaurant: the area is affordable! Campsites are also affordable, and even more so if they are municipal. Finally, there is enough accommodation in bed and breakfasts and gites for everyone to find something for their budget!
The pluses
The preservednature
The absolutetranquility of the place.
The quality of the welcome.
The numerous sportsactivities offered
The accessibility.
The tourist office of Coutances and its variations on the coast.
How to get there
By train, from Paris: Train from the Saint-Lazare station to Cherbourg, then change to Coutances
By car, from Cherbourg: RN13 then exit "Coutances" from Valognes. From Paris: A13 to Caen, then A84 to exit 37. From Rennes, take the A84 to exit 37
To get information
COUTANCES TOURISME - More information on the site
6, rue Milon
50 200 Coutances
Tel : 02 33 19 08 10
To eat
LE PÈRE GUS
La Plage
50 560 Blainville-sur-Mer
Authenticity for this oyster bar installed in the shed of Jean Rouvière, oyster farmer.
Sleep
CAMPING DU HAVRE DE REGNÉVILLE
8, rue du Port
50 590 Regnéville-sur-Mer
In the heart of nature, unique proposals: a tent facing the sea or a vintage caravan, the experience is magical.
