Cartaret and West Coast Beaches

The Contentin peninsula boasts some of the best coastline in the region. Long sandy beaches, rugged coastal walks and charming fishing ports are all within easy reach of the chateau.

Barneville-Carteret is a resort which became popular in the 19th Century. Barneville is a market town with grand villas at the water's edge, while Carteret on the other side of the harbour has two golden sandy beaches and is a popular windsurfing destination. On a clear day there are views to the Channel Islands and a ferry can be taken to Jersey from here.

Granville combines a traditional fishing village with the fortified Haute Ville - which dates from the 15th Century. Nearby the Plage de Donville offers large stretches of sand and watersports.

From Granville a ferry can be taken to the rugged Les Iles Chausey, an archipelago of around 350 islands, only one of which is inhabited. A coastal footpath will take you around Grand Ile in about two hours. Granite was taken from here to build Mont St Michel abbey and the island is littered with abandoned quarries.