Here are some views of the surrounding towns, beaches and countryside etc.
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Telephone numbers are included for information on current entry prices where applicable.
Most have special rates for groups and for students.
( Times from the Chateau ) Cherbourg ( 1 hr ) Musée de la Libération ( 1 hr free visit students ) stiff walk uphill to the museum. ( Tel 0233 20 14 12 ) Hypermarket Auchan ( Tel 0233 88 13 13 ) St Mère Eglise ( 35 mins ) Musée de Troupes Aeroportées Fascinating museum of wartime artifacts, aeroplanes, vehicles etc. ( Tel 0233 41 41 35 ) Ferme-Musée du Cotentin Museum of traditional rural life. ( Tel 0233 95 40 20 ) Orglandes ( 25 mins ) German War Cemetry 10152 graves Carentan ( 20 mins ) Cidrerie et Caves Herout at Auvers. See the making of cider, Pommeau and Old Calvados ( Tel 0233 95 40 20 ) Visit free ( Tel 0233 71 07 89 ) Cheese making Chèvrerie du Mesnil at St Hilaire Petitville. ( Tel 0233 42 32 00 ) and at Chèvrerie de la Huberdière at Liesville sur Douve ( Tel 0233 71 01 60 ) Sweet Factory Dupont d'Isigny in Carentan. Entry price includes tastings ! ( Tel 0233 71 66 66 ) Lessay ( 10 mins ) Cheese making at La Laiterie Fromagerie Réaux. See how Camembert is made. ( Tel 0233 46 41 33 ) Blainville sur Mer ( 25 mins ) Oyster farming at Coop Aquacole de Baisse Normandie Your chance to learn the meaning of dégustation ! ( Tel 0233 47 13 47 ) Avranches and the Pays de Villedieu Visit Le Pays de Villedieu, Avranches and La baie du Mont St Michel - Avranches ( 1 hr ) World War 2 Museum - film, diorama and plenty to absorb. Tel 0233 68 35 83 Le Jardins des Plantes - good spot for picnic and study of fabulous rare flowers and observation of the Mont St Michel Villedieu les Poeles ( 45 mins ) A town full of Museums notably the Fonderie de Cloches ( Tel 0233 61 00 56 ), Atelier de Cuivre
( Tel 0233 51 31 85 ), Maison de l'Etain ( Tel 0233 51 05 08 )and finally Le Royaume dl'Horloge ( Tel 0233 90 95 38 students ). Granville ( 45 mins ) A fabulous little fishing town with Marina and interesting shops. Visit the Ancient Ramparts, the Christian Dior Museum ( Tel 0233 61 48 21) or the free Musée du Vieux Granville ( Tel 0233 50 44 10 ). St Jean des Champs ( 50 mins ) Ferme de l'Hermitière - Traditional cider making, production of Pommeau and Calvados and museum. ( Tel 0233 61 31 51 ). Hambye ( 35 mins ) L'Abbaye bénédictine spectacular 13th century ruin. ( Tel 0233 61 76 92 )
The Marais - or marshland - covers a large part of the mid cotentin peninsular, much of which has been reclaimed. In the old days, there was a huge waterway system of traffic of all types of goods, and today is a designated Parc for wildlife with many circuits for walkers or cyclists.
La Maison des Marais at Marchésieux ( 5 km ) is a fascinating reconstructed house with rural museum and working ancient boulangerie. ( Tel 0233 07 15 20 ).
Le Village Miniature des
Années 30 at Marchésieux. A fantastic 1/10 animated
scale model of working life in the 1930's - the result of over 25000 hours
of meticulous work by one local man.
( Tel 0233 46 74 98 )
La Maison de la Bricque at St Martin d'Aubigny ( 1 km ) within walking distance of the Chateau du Perron, is a reconstructed brick kiln and museum and demonstrates the enormous effort put into the making of the humble brick. ( Tel 0233 07 73 92 Mairie ).
Lehodey Vani-bois at Rémilly sur Lozon ( 7km ) is an interesting family run basket making works using traditional materials. ( Tel 0233 56 21 01 ).
Musée du Vélo in Périers ( 5mins ) has 110 ancient bicycles ! ( Tel 0233 76 54 80 ).
Musée Maritime at Régneville sur Mer (25 mins ) with big chalk making ovens for export of chalk via the ancient port. ( Tel 0233 46 82 18 ).
Gastronomy - see the making of camembert, goats cheese, sweets, oestriculture as indicated above at Carentan and Lessay.
Visit to Coutances and historical hinterland
13th century Cathedral Notre Dame - ( Tel 0233 45 17 79 ), and 15th & 16th century L'Eglise Saint Pierre or 17th century L'Eglise St Nicholas and the fascinating Musée Municipal students free before visiting the Jardins des Plantes for a picnic to relax after visiting the Market ( every Thursday ).
Supermachés Leclerc and Intermarché
Visit the Abbatiale romane Sainte Trinité ( 9th century ) at Lessay ( 30 mins from Coutances ) or the Château at Gratôt ( 5 mins Coutances ) ( Tel 0233 27 97 40 ).
Château de Pirou ( 15 mins Coutances ) is a 12th century fortress.( Tel 0233 46 34 71 ) and near to miles of sandy beaches.
Piscine Municipale has
a long water chute.
( Tel 0233 45 36 71 ).
Nouvelle Patinoire Le
Yeti is a brand new skating rink. Can hire skates, gloves.
Pointe du Hoc - Scene of unbelievable courage 6/6/44
Omaha Beach - US Army the beach sustaining the most casualties 6/6/44
Utah Beach - US Army
Colleville sur Mer - Americain War Cemetery. 9386 graves
Longues sur Mer - impressive
part of the Atlantic Wall, seemingly indestructible gun batteries
Arromanches - Mulberry harbour and Musée du Débarquement
( Tel 0231 22 34 31 and Arromanches 360 theatre 0231 22 30 30 )
La Cambe - German War Cemetery. 21,160 graves.
Réviers - Canadian War Cemetery. 2,048 graves.
Memorial de Caen - Spectacular
portrayal of events from 1918 until today. ( Tel 0231 06 06 44 )
Television, video, karaoke
and discothèque indoor treasure hunts, quizzes
drinks machine, public telephone, table football, pool table.