🌿 Top 10 Things to Do Near Coutances – Discover the Best of Normandy
Home · Availability · Book Now · Contact Us · Location · Reviews
First published: September 2025
Last updated: November 2025
Explore more about local customs, traditional festivals, and the heart of Normandy countryside life.
📣 This blog was featured in September 2025 as part of our Regular Featured Blog Series, updated every two weeks with hand-picked highlights from the Normandy region.
📲 As well as being published on our website, it was also shared across our Socials:
Instagram,
Facebook,
and
TikTok.
If you’re planning a holiday in Normandy and staying at our family-friendly gîte near Coutances, you’re in the perfect spot to explore the very best that La Manche, Normandy has to offer. From medieval architecture and world-famous landmarks to quiet countryside trails and lively markets, there’s no shortage of things to do near Coutances. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or a group of friends, this guide will help you discover the top 10 activities within an easy drive of your stay at Holidays-Normandy.
1️⃣ Explore the Majestic Coutances Cathedral ⛪
The Cathédrale de Coutances is one of Normandy’s finest examples of Gothic architecture — and it dominates the skyline like a ship’s mast. Step inside to admire its soaring stone columns and luminous stained glass. Guided tours offer insight into the town’s medieval past, and the views from the gardens nearby are breathtaking.
Before or after your visit, stroll through Old Town Coutances with its artisan boutiques and cafés. For a full walking route, see our detailed blog Coutances Cathedral & Old Town – A Perfect Half-Day Walk.
2️⃣ Relax and Recharge at Agon-Coutainville Beach 🏖️
Just 25 minutes from the gîte lies one of Normandy’s most beloved seaside towns: Agon-Coutainville. With its long sandy beach, gentle waves, and relaxed cafés, it’s ideal for family beach days in Normandy or a romantic stroll at sunset.
Enjoy Normandy coastal walks, sample fresh oysters straight from local producers, or try sand yachting on the wide open beaches — one of the region’s most exhilarating outdoor activities.
3️⃣ Visit Mont-Saint-Michel – The Wonder of the West 🌅
No list of things to do in Normandy would be complete without Mont-Saint-Michel. Less than an hour’s drive from Coutances, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most iconic places in France. Wander through narrow cobbled lanes, climb up to the medieval abbey, and watch the tide race across the bay — one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Pro tip: Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy the mystical light that inspired centuries of artists.
4️⃣ Walk Through History at the D-Day Beaches 🇫🇷
The D-Day landing beaches of Normandy are living memorials to bravery and sacrifice. Within an hour’s drive, you can visit Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and Arromanches. Explore museums, bunkers, and war cemeteries that tell the story of June 1944.
Start your exploration with our in-depth guides to the D-Day Beaches & Map of Normandy and The Battle of Normandy & Liberation of Coutances — both rich in local history, especially around Nicorps where our gîte is located.
5️⃣ Discover Granville & the Christian Dior Museum 🌸
The coastal town of Granville is often called the “Monaco of the North” for its chic seaside charm. Stroll through its marina, visit the Dior family home turned Christian Dior Museum, and wander the terraced gardens with stunning views of the Channel Islands. For a full day out, add a boat trip to the Chausey Islands — a natural paradise just offshore.
Granville also hosts one of France’s most vibrant annual events: Granville Carnival, a UNESCO-recognised celebration of colour, music and Norman humour.
6️⃣ A Wild Family Day at Champrepus Zoo 🐘
Families love Zoo de Champrepus, just 25 minutes away. This beautifully landscaped park is home to lions, lemurs, and tropical birds, plus shaded picnic areas and playgrounds for younger visitors. It’s the perfect outing for a family holiday in Normandy.
Combine it with a stop at nearby Villedieu-les-Poêles for lunch and shopping (see below) — an ideal full-day itinerary for children and adults alike.
7️⃣ Explore Saint-Lô’s Ramparts & National Stud Farm 🐎
Saint-Lô, about 40 minutes away, offers a fascinating mix of Normandy history and equestrian culture. Walk along its medieval ramparts rebuilt after WWII, visit the impressive Haras National (National Stud Farm), and watch the famous Norman horses being trained. It’s also a great spot to learn about the rebuilding of Normandy after the war.
Pair your visit with a meal at one of Saint-Lô’s riverside brasseries and experience local life beyond the usual tourist routes.
8️⃣ Market Day in Gavray-sur-Sienne 🧺
Nothing captures the rhythm of rural Normandy better than a morning at the market. Every Saturday, Gavray-sur-Sienne bursts into life with stalls selling cheese, cider, honey, and freshly baked bread. Sample a slice of Normandy Camembert or try local cider (see our blog Cider Tasting in Normandy) before grabbing a pastry for the road.
Market mornings are a true highlight of Normandy countryside life — colourful, friendly, and full of irresistible smells.
9️⃣ Discover the Craftsmanship of Villedieu-les-Poêles 🔔
Known as the “City of Copper,” Villedieu-les-Poêles is a haven for artisans. Explore the Bell Foundry (still in operation after centuries), browse copper workshops, and shop for handmade cookware and souvenirs. It’s one of the most authentic craft towns in Normandy.
Many visitors combine it with nearby La Maison du Biscuit for coffee and sweet treats — a perfect pairing of craftsmanship and indulgence.
🔟 Walk or Cycle the Voie Verte (Greenway) 🚴♀️
Normandy is ideal for walking and cycling holidays, and the Voie Verte de Coutances is one of the best ways to experience its rural beauty. This peaceful, car-free trail follows disused railway lines through meadows, apple orchards, and quiet villages. Bring or rent bikes locally, or simply enjoy a stroll through the La Manche countryside — perfect for birdwatching and picnics along the way.
For more outdoor ideas, check our blogs Cycling in Normandy and Birdwatching in Normandy.
✨ Bonus: Eat Like a Local – Normandy Food & Drink
No visit to Normandy is complete without indulging in its famous cuisine. From creamy Camembert and seafood in Coutances to apple-based drinks and buttery pastries, the region is a paradise for foodies. Discover our full collection of Normandy Food & Drink Blogs — including Camembert – Normandy’s Famous Cheese and Christmas in Normandy – Traditions & Food.
📆 What’s On Near Coutances
Normandy’s event calendar is packed all year round — from local brocantes and village fêtes to food festivals and open-air concerts. Check our regularly updated What’s On in Normandy page for the latest events near the gîte, or explore our What’s On Blog Series for seasonal inspiration.
🌿 Love discovering hidden corners of Normandy?
Browse our Normandy Family Blog for travel inspiration, or explore our categories for more ideas:
From family-friendly activities in Normandy to outdoor adventures in La Manche, our blogs are packed with ideas to make your trip unforgettable.
🌟 Final Thought – Explore, Taste & Feel Real Normandy
Staying near Coutances puts you at the heart of authentic Normandy life. Within an hour, you can visit beaches, medieval towns, cider farms, and nature trails — all while returning each evening to the peace of the countryside. Whether you’re chasing sunsets by the sea or cycling through quiet lanes lined with apple trees, there’s always something new to discover.
Come and experience real Normandy from our gîte in Nicorps — where comfort, history, and adventure meet. 🇫🇷✨
