| The Cotentin combines a wooded hinterland with attractive coastal scenery and yacht-filled harbours more reminiscent of Brittany than Normandy. Places to visit include Utah beach and the nearby Ste.Mère Eglise, the Saire Valley, St.Vaast Le Houge, Tatihou Island, Barfleur, Gatteville Lighthouse, Castel-Vendon Rock, Port-Racine (France's smallest harbour), Cap de la Hague, Goury, Ecelgrain Bay, Jerbourg Point(picture), the Calvary of the Dunes, Carteret and Port-Bail.
Cherbourg is the largest town in Manche with several fine museums. Cherbourg is a very important transatlantic and channel-ferry port. The navel base and vast harbour incorporate many of Vauban's masterpieces of military architecture. There is a splendid panoramic view of the town and port from the Fort de Roule. The capture of Cherbourg on 27 June 1944 provided the Allies with the deep-water harbour they needed for the supplies of men and material to win the Battle of Normandy.
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