Land of history, Normandy is one of those must-see destinations for any family holiday. Between the sea and the marshes, cultural discoveries and walks in the countryside, Carentan is undoubtedly the perfect place to spend your holidays on the English Channel.
In the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Bessin and Cotentin Marshes, Carentan, which has now become the new commune of Carentan-les-Marais, is undeniably marked by history. A particularly pleasant medieval town, it is above all one of the high places of the Normandy landings, the scene of the Battle of Carentan during the Second World War. Carentan has preserved many reminders of this past, such as the Liberation Monument. Not far away, the Normandy Victory Museum in Catz, the Centre Historique des Parachutistes du Jour-J in Saint-Côme-du-Mont, or the Musée du Débarquement and Utah Beach in the commune of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont will be perfect for an immersion in the history of the Normandy Landings.
The gateway to the Cotentin region, this town in the heart of the marshes is an ancient medieval city of incomparable charm. Well-preserved, it boasts a large number of listed buildings that are a must-see: the Augustine convent, which now houses the town hall, the magnificent and imposing Notre-Dame church, rebuilt in the 15th century in a Gothic style, the sublime medieval arcades of an old covered gallery (on the Place de la République side), not forgetting the stunning 18th-century washhouse of the Fountains, are all sites that are among the most visited in the town. Carentan will surprise you by its elegance and by the large number of splendid private mansions that it houses, such as the Hôtel Durant de la Borderie-Enouf (at 45 rue Holgate), the Hôtel de Ponthergé dating from 1554, the Hôtel Hervieux-de-Pontlouis (which welcomed Honoré de Balzac), the Hôtel de Chanvalon (where Napoleon I stayed) or the Hôtel de Lessey located in rue Sébline.
On the east coast of the Cotentin, the port of Carentan is a particularly good place to stroll. With its basin surrounded by greenery in the heart of the town, it offers sailors incomparable views of the wild Bay of Veys from its channel which has been leading sailors to the sea for centuries. With its green spaces, water fountains and flowers, it is a must for anyone visiting Carentan. To do? Take the Haut Dick path along its banks, for a quiet walk around the port to discover its bridge-canal and its locks. The port is a lively place, hosting festivals and concerts in the summer, as well as the Water Festival in August, during which you can discover the pleasures of the sea on board a kayak, an optimist or a Drakkar. Moreover, you can opt for cruises to discover the Bay of Carentan, the Saint-Marcouf Islands, the Bay of Veys, the Pointe du Hoc, the Island of Tatihou or the famous Utah Beach. In addition, a number of walking and cycling routes will enable you to discover Carentan and the Regional Natural Park of the Bessin and Cotentin Marshes. Finally, for swimming, it is on the legendary Utah Beach in Sainte-Marie-du-Monts that you should go: swimming, kayaking, dejs with your feet in the water and other interludes under the Norman sun will be the icing on the cake of these holidays in Carentan.
Ideally located on the seafront of the Bessin cliffs, the Omaha Beach campsite offers direct, private access to the beach of the same name, famous for...
Ideally located on the seafront of the Bessin cliffs, the Omaha Beach campsite offers direct, private access to the beach of the same name, famous for...
