A pathway leading to a country house surrounded by greeneryA cobblestone path leads to a stone country house surrounded by lush greenery. Plants and flowers line the path, and a stone gate marks the entrance. The house is partially visible through the trees and bushes.
©A cobblestone path leads to a charming country house, surrounded by lush greenery.
Manche - Normandy

Must-see gardens

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The great gardens of La Manche: immerse yourself in nature’s enchanting landscapes

At the heart of La Manche’s enchanting scenery lie natural treasures that invite discovery: the gardens of La Manche. Whether you’re a botany enthusiast, a history buff or simply looking for a moment of peace and quiet, these gardens offer an unforgettable getaway for young and old alike. From the beauty of châteaux gardens to the artistic creations of parks, each patch of greenery tells a unique story and invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of nature.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the fragrant alleys and lush corners of these remarkable gardens in Normandy’s Manche region.

#1 - Jardin des plantes de Coutances

In the heart of the historic capital of the Cotentin region, like a green lung in the city center, the Coutances plant garden welcomes you for a plunge into lush nature. The garden has several distinctive features: it’s a beautiful fusion of English and French groves, with a mosaic culture perpetuated by the town’s gardeners with a different theme every year.The garden boasts a magnificent plant maze, where you can lose yourself as generations go by.

Practical info 2 rue Quesnel Morinière – 50200 Coutances

A winding path cuts through a garden filled with red flowers and lush greeneryA winding gravel path cuts through a well-maintained garden, bordered by red flowers and lush greenery. Trees and neatly trimmed bushes surround the garden, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. A person is sitting on the grass, enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.
©A peaceful haven in the heart of nature, perfect for a quiet stroll.
French formal garden with flower beds and a hedge structureView of a French formal garden with colorful flower beds and a hedge structure. In the background, you can see trees and a clear blue sky. The garden is well-maintained and the paths are clean.
©A French formal garden with colorful flower beds and a hedge structure.
People sitting on benches in a public garden with a fountainSeveral people are sitting on benches in a public garden. A fountain in the center of the garden sprays water into the air. Trees and flowers surround the area, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere.
©A moment of relaxation in a public garden lively with a fountain.|Jim prod

    2 - Vauville Botanical Garden

    The Vauville garden, which dates back to 1948, is made up of over 1,000 species of plants and shrubs from the southern hemisphere. Made up of evergreen species, it can be visited in any season without its beauty being altered. The microclimate is ideal for growing many exotic species. It surrounds the superb Château de Vauville, which is also worth a visit.

    1 route de Thôt – Vauville – 50440 La Hague 02 33 10 00 00 / www.jardin-vauville.fr

    Medieval castle with an inner courtyard and plantsA medieval stone castle with turrets and mullioned windows. The inner courtyard is surrounded by stone walls and adorned with various plants and flowers. The castle has a historic and well-preserved appearance, featuring architectural details typical of the medieval period.
    ©An imposing medieval castle with a well-maintained inner courtyard.|Refuse to Hibernate
    Person walking in an alley surrounded by palm trees and lush vegetationA person is walking in an alley lined with palm trees and lush vegetation. The palm trees are tall with green, lush leaves. The person is wearing a brown coat and walking on a dirt path. The scene is peaceful and serene, with a tropical atmosphere.
    ©A peaceful walk in a tropical alley, surrounded by palm trees and greenery.
      Garden with orange flowers and green treesA summer garden with orange flowers in the foreground and green trees in the background. The flowers are in full bloom and the trees are lush and green. The ground is covered with gravel and leaves.
      ©A lush garden with vibrant flowers and verdant trees.|Jardin d'elle
      Winding gravel path through a lush garden with a variety of plants and treesA winding gravel path meanders through a lush garden filled with a variety of plants and trees. The garden is well-maintained with neatly trimmed bushes and colorful flowers. The trees provide a canopy of shade, creating a peaceful and inviting environment. The sky is partially cloudy, allowing sunlight to filter through the leaves, adding a warm glow to the scene.
      ©A winding gravel path invites exploration through this lush garden.|Jardin d'elle

        3 - Jardin d'Elle

        This 1.5-hectare park, created with the expertise of Paysages et Pépinières d’Elle, features over 2,500plantspecies. Several themes are proposed along the landscaped paths, such as the vegetable garden, waterfalls, undergrowth, the country theme, etc. Several remarkable species (maples, honeysuckle, black gum, …) can be found here.(maples, honeysuckle, black gum, etc.) can be admired, and the site is also an LPO bird sanctuary.

        15 le repas – 50680 Villiers-Fossard 02 33 05 88 64 / www.dellenormandie.com

        4 - Tatihou gardens

        On the eponymous island, the gardens will surprise you with their diversity and the exotic character of the species that thrive there. A palm grove, an acclimatization garden, magnificent exotic species, a Moroccan area… Coastal species from the English Channel blend with exotic plants that thrive here in incredibly exotic natural spaces.

        Île Tatihou – BP3 – 50550 Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue 02 14 29 03 30 / www.tatihou.manche.fr

        Museum with an orange-tiled roof and exotic plants in the foregroundA museum with an orange-tiled roof and white walls. In the foreground, a variety of exotic plants, including a tall plant with dome-shaped yellow flowers. The sky is partially cloudy with white and blue clouds. The word 'MUSEUM' is visible on the building.
        ©A museum nestled amidst lush and exotic vegetation.|LEO BARQUIN
          Ancient stone arch in a garden with plants and flowersAn ancient stone arch stands in a well-maintained garden. The gravel path passes under the arch, surrounded by various plants and flowers. The sky is blue with a few clouds. The surrounding stone walls and structures add a rustic charm to the scene.
          ©A gravel path leads through a stone arch in a lush garden.|Ben collier
            Large glass greenhouse with tropical plants and visitorsA large glass greenhouse with a metal structure, located in a well-maintained garden. The greenhouse houses a variety of tropical plants. Several visitors are present, some sitting on benches. The sky is partly cloudy with green trees in the background.
            ©An outdoor greenhouse with a wide variety of tropical plants.|LEO BARQUIN

              5 - Château des Ravalet park

              The park is a perfect blend of French and English gardens, aquatic areas, flower beds, remarkable trees… Covering 18 hectares, this garden was recreated by R. de Tocqueville in the 19th century, and features one of the last 19th-century Rotonde greenhouses in Normandy. Stroll through the paths, meadow, natural areas and more. You’ll be charmed!

              Avenue du château / Tourlaville – 50110 Cherbourg-en-Cotentin 02 33 87 88 98 – www.ville-cherbourg.fr

              6 - Jardin Christian Dior

              Overlooking the sea, the Christian Dior garden is a veritable showcase for the designer’s childhood home. Between sky and sea, this garden seems suspended in the air. The garden is laid out from space to space, with the sea and its breathtaking scenery as a backdrop. There are many rose bushes, the couturier’s favorite flower.

              4 rue d’Estouteville – Cours Jonville – 50400 Granville 02 33 91 30 03 – www.musee-dior-granville.com

              Two-story white manor with red elements and trees aroundA two-story white manor with red elements and sloping roofs. The manor is surrounded by a well-maintained large garden with mature trees. The sky is clear and blue, and the lawn is green and well-mowed. The manor has several windows and a large front door.
              ©A majestic manor stands in the middle of a well-maintained large garden.|Valentin Pacaut The Explorers

                7 - Jardins en liberté

                At the Lycée Horticole, Campus Métiers Nature in Coutances, the free gardens are a 3-hectare educational complex. You can admire the gardens during the popular Dahlia Festival, held every year from the end of August to the end of September. Several hundred species of dahlia are on display, as well as floral exhibitions, themed stages, local craftsmen, landscaped gardens, etc.

                Campus métiers nature – route de Montmartin-sur-Mer – 50200 Coutances 02 33 45 13 44 / www.campusagri.fr

                Flower garden with the Art and History Town signA flower garden with a variety of colorful flowers, including chrysanthemums and dahlias. A wooden sign with the inscription 'Art and History Town' is visible. The garden is well-maintained and surrounded by trees and bushes. The sky is clear and blue.
                ©A colorful and well-maintained garden with a variety of flowers and a sign indicating 'Art and History Town'.
                Garden filled with colorful flowers and shrubs with trellis arches covered in foliageA garden filled with flowers of various colors, primarily dahlias, with trellis arches covered in foliage. In the background, there are trees and shrubs that add to the greenery of the garden. The sky is clear and the sun is shining, illuminating the flowers and leaves.
                ©A lush garden where colorful flowers and green arches create a serene atmosphere.
                A garden filled with colorful flowers in summerA winding path cuts through a garden filled with colorful flowers in summer. The flowers are arranged in neat rows, with bright and varied colors. Trees and shrubs surround the garden, creating a natural and peaceful setting.
                ©A winding path cuts through a garden filled with colorful flowers in summer.

                  8 - Chantore Park

                  In the south of France’s Manche region, the Chantore landscaped park boasts a magnificent view of Mont-Saint-Michel, which we love to contemplate. 19 hectares of landscaped parkland around the 18th-century château, where you’ll discover remarkable trees, an English river, numerous waterfalls, bamboo species, rhododendron beds, … all while admiring Mont-Saint-Michel in the distance!

                  Chantore – 50530 Bacilly 06 74 30 66 64 – www.parcchantore.com

                  A winding stream runs through a lush park with trees and grassA winding stream runs through a lush park, surrounded by verdant trees and grass. The branches of the trees extend over the stream, creating a natural canopy. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting soft shadows on the water and the ground. The park is tranquil, offering a serene and natural view.
                  ©A peaceful stream meanders through a lush park, offering a serene and natural view.|Yann Monel
                  Purple flowers in full bloom in a forestA dense forest with tall trees and green bushes. Purple flowers are in full bloom, adding a vibrant splash of color to the scene. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene atmosphere.
                  ©Purple flowers bring a vibrant splash of color to the forest.|Yann Monel
                  Two peacocks walking in a lush green parkTwo peacocks are walking in a lush green park. One is in the foreground with its blue and green feathers spread out, while the other is visible in the distance. The park is well-maintained, with green lawns, trees, and bushes. Yellow flowers are visible in the background.
                  ©Peacocks add a touch of exoticism to this peaceful park.

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                      ©Visitors explore the beach in front of Mont Saint-Michel under a clear sky.|alexandre lamoureux OT MSMN
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