Aerial view of coastal wetlands with water bodies and vegetationAerial view of a coastal wetland landscape with water bodies and vegetation. The ocean is visible on the horizon, with waves crashing onto the shore. The area is dotted with meandering canals and wetlands, providing a diverse habitat for wildlife and plant life.
©Coastal wetlands offer a unique landscape where land meets the sea.|Philippe Fauvel
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Haven of Geffosses

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Havre de Geffosses: nature in its raw state

The haven extends from Geffosses to Anneville-sur-Mer and is home to an important bird sanctuary. A treasure trove of biodiversity flourishes at the heart of this tranquil haven.

Aerial view of a coastal wetland with water channels and the ocean in the backgroundAerial view of a coastal wetland with winding water channels and the blue ocean in the background. The vegetation is dense and varied, with areas of sand and rocks visible. The sky is partially cloudy, with natural light illuminating the scene.
©Coastal wetlands provide a unique habitat for wildlife and flora.|Philippe Fauvel
Aerial view of a coastline with farmland and a beachAerial view of a coastline with farmland and a beach. The coastline stretches towards the horizon, with green fields and wetlands visible. The beach is bordered by the ocean, and the sky is partially cloudy.
©A captivating aerial view of the coastline, featuring farmland and a beach.|Philippe Fauvel

A small estuary of great importance

The Havre de Geffosses is a small estuary of La Manche which opens on the sea between two fine needles of sand. Five small rivers flow into this haven where a rich fauna and flora proliferate.

The haven no longer communicates directly with the sea because a bridge dam supporting the road cuts off the water entrance. A floating door system was therefore set up to ensure the connection to the sea.

The major attraction of this haven is the variety of ornithological species there. As a wintering or stopover site for many species, you can see the Kentish plover, kingfisher, black-headed gull, northern lapwing, wigeon… and many more.

A hunting reserve of almost 200 hectares is located here. It is possible to visit it with a guide from the federation to get to know all the little natural details.

Smiling man wearing a black cap and a gray t-shirt with a pink logoA man with a light beard smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black cap and a gray t-shirt with a pink logo. The background shows a clear blue sky.
©A smiling man under a clear blue sky, wearing a cap and a comfortable t-shirt.

The Havre de Geffosses is at the edge of the region Coutances Tourisme covers. Its major attraction is its great ornithological abundance. It’s a very small haven but it’s magnificent in its splendour, the best thing is to go and watch the birds in the hut and see them evolve in nature !

Allan, nature lover

   Essential visits

  • Bird watching hut
  • The haven’s untamed nature
  • Surf spot with certain tidal coefficients – for enthusiasts
  • Paillotte Playa Restaurant
Did you like this haven?

3 other havens in our region

Aerial view of a coastal village with houses and farmlandAerial view of a coastal village with houses and farmland. The sea stretches out to the horizon, and clouds dot the sky. The land is green and fertile, with winding roads crisscrossing the landscape.
©A peaceful village bordered by the sea, where nature and architecture meet.|Philippe Fauvel
Haven of Regnéville-sur-Mer
Havre de Regnéville-sur-Mer: the largest of the havens The largest but perhaps one of the best known, the Havre de Regnéville-sur-Mer is surrounded by the village of...
Winding road bordered by vegetation leading to the oceanA winding road crosses lush salt marshes leading to the ocean. The road is bordered by lush vegetation and small water canals. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.
©A winding road crosses the salt marshes to the ocean.|Philippe Fauvel
Haven of Blainville-sur-Mer
Havre de Blainville-sur-Mer: Preserved natural area The Blainville-sur-Mer estuary is an exceptional place for biodiversity and preserved nature. Designated a Natura 2000 area,...
Sandy beach with water puddles and a cloudy skyA vast sandy beach with numerous scattered water puddles. The sky is partially cloudy with visible blue sky areas. On the horizon, a line of trees and some indistinct structures can be seen.
©A stretch of sand and water puddles under a changing sky.|Aymeric Picot
Haven of la Vanlée
Havre de la Vanlée: a confidential haven With very few visitors on the Lingreville side, the haven is a real place of peace and quiet. Its naturalness is its strength and it...