Sea and beaches

The coast, 15km away, promises stunning landscapes with its estuaries, natural harbours, long sandy beaches, dunes and cliffs.

The Grandes Marées are an extraordinary phenomenon that can be experienced during the full moon and new moon phases in the Manche: During the Grandes Marées, the difference in height between high and low tide is up to 13 metres! This is the largest difference in height in Europe. The sea pushes into the estuaries and the flow direction of the rivers goes backwards. An impressive spectacle. And Mont-Saint-Michel also becomes an island for a few hours.
At low tide, you can take long walks on the mudflats, but beware, the sea returns very quickly! This is also the time for "pêche à pied", i.e. collecting mussels from the seabed. To protect the ecosystem, however, it is important to observe a few rules.

Every year, Le Pavillon Bleu awards prizes to beaches and marinas that favour sustainable tourism. In 2023, for example, the beaches of St Martin de Brehal, Lude in Donville les Bains and Plat-Gousset in Granville received an award.

There are clubs and small private centres along the coast that offer water sports such as beach sailing, sailing, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, kite surfing and kayaking.