Département côtier au nord-ouest de la Normandie, la Carte de la Manche aide à visualiser le Cotentin, la baie du Mont-Saint-Michel et les axes vers Caen et Rennes. Idéale pour planifier un itinéraire mêlant littoral, îles et bocage avec des étapes à Cherbourg, Granville et autour du Mont.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | Normandy |
| Prefecture | Saint-Lô |
| Sub-prefectures | Avranches, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Coutances |
| Population | ~500,000 inhabitants |
| Area | ~5,900 km² |
| Relief & coastline | Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Cotentin, capes and islands (Chausey), bocage |
| Climate | Oceanic: mild winters, temperate summers, frequent winds |
| Economy | Agri-food, livestock, fishing, marine energies, tourism |
| Key sites | Mont-Saint-Michel, Cherbourg, Barneville-Carteret, Granville |
| Access | RN13 towards Caen, rail connections to Paris/Normandy, ports of Cherbourg and Granville |
What you need to know about the Manche department
Here we present to you a department of the Normandy region; moreover, it is the 50th department of France. This department is called Manche, and the fact that it bears this name is because it is bordered by the sea along its entire northern and northwestern part. This department is one of the 83 oldest French departments created in 1790.
The prefecture of this department is called Saint-Lô, and the sub-prefectures are Avranches, Coutances, and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. Currently, the Manche department has 495,045 inhabitants, and its area is 5,938 km², which means the population density is 83 inhabitants per km².
Furthermore, administratively, the Manche department is divided into Arrondissements, Legislative constituencies, Cantons, Intercommunalities, and Communes numbering 4, 27, 8, and 446 respectively.
Which departments border the Manche department?
Manche is essential for the Normandy terroir. It borders the branches of Calvados, Orne, Mayenne, and Ille-et-Vilaine. Including the Cotentin peninsula, the department is bathed by the English Channel along its entire western side, as well as the north and upper east, with more than 350 km of coastline.
Climate of the Manche department
With nearly 300 km of coastline exposed to the sea, Manche enjoys a decidedly oceanic climate. This type of climate is characterized by mild winters, where temperatures generally range between 4 and 7 °C with few frosts. Summers remain temperate, with an average around 17 °C.
In winter, frosts are rare along the coast — less than 6 days per year — while some more continental areas like Saint-Lois or Mortainais can record up to about fifty frost days. Temperature variations remain moderate: around 4 to 7 °C in winter inland, and 5 to 12 °C in summer.
Precipitation extends over 120 to 160 days per year. Its intensity varies greatly depending on the areas: about 1,300 mm of annual rainfall in the south of the coast, compared to nearly 700 mm in the north. Despite relatively low sunshine — about 1,500 hours per year — the maritime influence of the eastern and northern coasts favors the acclimatization of certain Mediterranean-inspired plants.
The department is also marked by regular sea winds, responsible for significant tides and sometimes gusts or storms, especially during the winter period.
What are the best towns in the Manche department?
We have ranked these towns based on the number of tourists they receive. So, here are the 10 best towns you should visit in the Manche department:
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- Saint-Lô
- Granville
- Martinvast
- Avranches
- Coutances
- Picauville
- Valognes
- Reigneville-Bocage
- Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet
To complete your bearings, consult the map of Manche, then prepare your stops on the eastern Normandy side with the Calvados map. If you continue westward, the Ille-et-Vilaine map and the overall view Brittany map will help you plan routes and coastal stops.
What are the largest municipalities in the Manche department?
To make this ranking, we referred to the area of each municipality in the Manche department:
- Isigny-le-Buat
- Ger
- Sourdeval
- Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte
- Brix
- Pontorson
- Percy-en-Normandie
- Barenton
- Bricquebec-en-Cotentin
- Saint-Clément-Rancoudray
During the current second ranking of the municipalities of Manche, we grouped them according to the population density per km2.
- Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
- Granville
- Avranches
- Carentan-les-Marais
- Agneaux
- Saint-Lô
- Coutances
- Valognes
- Bricquebec-en-Cotentin
- Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët
FAQ: Map of Manche
A Manche Map allows efficient connection of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay, the Cotentin coast, and the ports of Cherbourg and Granville, optimizing time and distances.
Prefer a Manche Map detailing GR and coastal trails to alternate beaches, capes, and hedgerow paths safely.
Yes, a Manche Map shows the RN connections and hubs to Calvados and Ille-et-Vilaine to combine several departments in one trip.
