The Many Faces of a Holiday to Manche, France

Archaeological wonders, fabulous beaches and perfect wines... welcome to Manche, Normandy

The western corner of Normandy, Manche, is a wonderful corner of France, full of energy and blessed with over 300km of coastline. You never feel far from the sea on a Manche holiday, as the whole department has a delightfully maritime feel, with fine beaches, excellent seafood restaurants and a laid back atmosphere at every turn. Manche holidays make the perfect foreign beach escape, just miles from home, yet when you are there, you will feel like home is just a distant memory! Short escape or long holiday, Manche is irresistible.

Many of the most iconic visions of Normandy are actually those of Manche. The sublime Mont Saint-Michel is an absolute must during any Manche holiday, long or short. The image will be one that almost all visitors are already familiar, but nothing will quite prepare you for the sight of the Benedictine monastery that crowns the peak before you see it with your own eyes. If you walk across the flats at low tide, be sure to have the tidal times in your mind. The sea comes in spectacularly fast (legend says faster than a galloping horse(?!) but you will certainly get wet should you get it wrong!

After a day at Mont Saint Michel, the rest of your Manche holiday can be dedicated to the finer things in life; beaches, fine food and excellent wine. With over 300km of coastline to choose from, and a liberal sprinkling of beautiful sandy beaches all along the coast, you will have little trouble finding a pristine, picturesque beach with which to get familiar during your Manche holiday, but to list and review the most popular would be fruitless. Manche is one of those rare, priceless places where the best beaches are the quietest, and there are plenty to discover.

Of course, many visitors from the UK arrive on a far more sombre trip. Utah beach, forever associated with the D-Day Landings of Normandy is located in Manche. A very poignant, yet essential trip on any Manche holiday.

With Cherbourg linked so well to the South coast of England, Manche is just an hour away, and offers so much. You mustn't miss out, even if just for a long weekend. The beaches and restaurants of Manche are waiting for you!