Manche - a department of Lower Normandy
A short introduction to a favourite part of France,
Jutting far out into the sea-green waters of the Channel, you could say that the department of Manche is off the beaten track. It is a green and pleasant Norman province that has much in common with the mild climes of the English South-West and is well away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
As you travel the length of our peaceful country roads or walk along one our picturesque hiking trails, you will notice the startlingly varied landscape that has shaped our lives. The famous Norman bocage of deciduous woods, hedges and thickets interspersed with undulating lush green fields juxtaposes with the wide open marshes of the east and the river gorges of the south. Manche is also a maritime province (it takes its name from the French word for the English Channel) and has an extensive seaboard that covers over half its border; the Cotentin district in the north is a wild and rocky granite coast, whereas the western shore comprises the vast sandy beaches of Mont-Saint-Michel Bay.
What else can you do in such a natural and wholesome environment other than taste the richness of its centuries-old gastronomic tradition and gently absorb the quintessential art de vivre of its inhabitants? Discover our upmarket épicerie fine, bustling town markets and no-nonsense farm shops that purvey all sorts of local delicacies for you to delight in. While you are there, stock up with some of our time-honoured specialities such as creamy Camembert cheeses, bubbling ciders, heady calvados apple brandies and fine charcuterie cooked meats - they make great gifts for family and friends. For those who just want to relax, visit one of our stylish cafés, brasseries or top-quality restaurants. There you can take time out on the terrace overlooking the sea or watch the world go by in the heart of one of our charming market towns.
