Path leading to a country house surrounded by greeneryA cobblestone path leads to a country house surrounded by lush greenery. Trees and bushes line the path, creating a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere. The house, partially visible, appears to be a place of tranquility and serenity.
©A cobblestone path invites you to discover this charming country house.
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.

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#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 goes through a garden with red flowers and green treesA winding gravel path cuts through a well-maintained garden. Beds of red flowers line the path, while green trees and bushes provide a serene atmosphere. A person sits on the grass, enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.
©A peaceful path winds through a flower garden, inviting relaxation and contemplation.
A tree with green leaves and a flower garden in the backgroundA tree with green leaves stands in the foreground, with a flower garden in the background. The garden is filled with various colorful flowers and well-maintained bushes. Winding paths traverse the garden, leading to a pyramid-shaped structure made of greenery. The sky is clear and blue, with a few scattered clouds.
©A peaceful garden with colorful flowers and a majestic tree.
People sitting on benches in a public garden with a fountain in the backgroundSeveral people are sitting on benches in a public garden. A fountain is visible in the background, surrounded by trees and flowers. The sun is shining, and people seem to be enjoying the day.
©A moment of relaxation in a public garden animated by the sound of water.|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 sky is overcast, creating a calm and serene atmosphere.
    ©An imposing medieval castle with a peaceful inner courtyard and lush plants.|Refuse to Hibernate
    Person walking on a path in a tropical forestA person walks on a dirt path surrounded by lush vegetation. Palms and other tropical plants line the path, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.
    ©A peaceful walk through a lush tropical forest.
      Garden with orange flowers and green treesA 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 fallen leaves.
      ©A lush garden with vibrant flowers and verdant trees.|Jardin d'elle
      Winding path in a lush garden with plants and treesA winding gravel path meanders through a lush garden filled with various plants and trees. The leaves are green and some plants are in bloom. The sky is partly cloudy with sun rays filtering through the clouds.
      ©A path invites you to stroll through a 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 a tiled roof and exotic plants in the foregroundA museum with a tiled roof and stone walls, surrounded by various exotic plants. A large plant with dome-shaped yellow flowers stands in the foreground. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue. The word 'MUSEUM' is visible on the building.
        ©A picturesque museum nestled among lush vegetation.|LEO BARQUIN
          A gravel path leads through a flower garden to a stone archwayA gravel path leads through a flower garden to a stone archway. The archway is made of large gray stones and is surrounded by lush greenery. The sky is blue with a few white clouds.
          ©A gravel path leads through a flower garden to a stone archway|Ben collier
            Large glass greenhouse with plants and people insideA large glass greenhouse with plants and people inside. The greenhouse is surrounded by trees and bushes. The sky is blue with a few clouds.
            ©A large glass greenhouse with plants and people inside.|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

              Large white house with red elements and a well-maintained gardenA large white house with red elements and casement windows. The house is situated in a well-maintained garden with a green lawn and mature trees. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.
              ©A spacious countryside house surrounded by trees and greenery.|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 a sign Art and History TownA flower garden with a variety of colorful flowers. A wooden sign with the inscription 'Art and History Town' is visible. The garden is well-maintained with grass pathways and trees in the background.
                ©A flower garden with a sign Art and History Town.
                Garden with colorful flowers and green archesA lush garden with a variety of colorful flowers in the foreground, including dahlias. Green arches are visible in the background, surrounded by trees and bushes. The sky is clear and blue.
                ©A lush garden filled with vibrant flowers and soothing greenery.
                A garden filled with flowers of different colorsA lush garden with a variety of colorful flowers, including dahlias, chrysanthemums, and zinnias. A dirt path winds through the flowers, leading to an information sign. Trees and shrubs in the background add a touch of greenery to the scene.
                ©A winding path meanders through a vibrant flower garden.

                  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 crosses a green lawn in a wooded parkA winding stream crosses a lush green lawn in a wooded park. Towering trees with their outstretched branches create a canopy that filters the sunlight, casting soft shadows on the landscape. The calm water of the stream reflects the trees and the sky, adding a touch of tranquility to the scene.
                  ©A peaceful stream meanders through a lush park, providing a serene and natural setting.|Yann Monel
                  Purple flowers growing in a garden with trees in the backgroundA lush garden with purple flowers in full bloom. Green trees and other plants surround the flowers, creating a serene and natural landscape.
                  ©A lush garden with purple flowers in full bloom.|Yann Monel
                  Two peacocks walking in a lush green parkTwo peacocks are walking in a lush green park. One is in the foreground with shimmering blue and green feathers, while the other is visible in the distance. The park is well-maintained, with green lawns, trees, and bushes. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene and natural atmosphere.
                  ©Peacocks add a touch of exoticism to this peaceful park.

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