The Cotentin
combines a wooded hinterland with attractive coastal
scenery and yacht-filled harbours more reminiscent of
Brittany than Normandy. Places to visit include Utah beach
and the nearby Ste.Mère Eglise, the Saire Valley, St.Vaast
Le Houge, Tatihou Island, Barfleur, Gatteville Lighthouse,
Castel-Vendon Rock, Port-Racine (France's smallest
harbour), Cap de la Hague, Goury, Ecelgrain Bay, Jerbourg
Point(picture), the Calvary of the Dunes, Carteret and
Port-Bail.
Cherbourg is the largest town in Manche
with several fine museums. Cherbourg is a very important
transatlantic and channel-ferry port. The navel base and
vast harbour incorporate many of Vauban's masterpieces of
military architecture. There is a splendid panoramic view
of the town and port from the Fort de Roule. The capture
of Cherbourg on 27 June 1944 provided the Allies with the
deep-water harbour they needed for the supplies of men and
material to win the Battle of
Normandy. |
