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La Hague

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Manche

La Hague - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Manche
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Urville-Nacqueville:

Urville-Nacqueville is a locality of the Channel, in the Normandy region, on the northern coast of the Cotentin peak, 10 km west of Cherbourg.

Originally born of the merger in 1964 of the villages of Urville-Hague and Nacqueville, the former municipality merged with 18 others to form on 1 January 2017 the new municipality of La Hague.

Urville-Nacqueville sheltered a port destined to reach England since before our era. It is however at the beginning of the 20th century that the site develops with the development of a first seaside resort and the construction of villas of Anglo-Norman style which will be victims for the majority of the bombings of June 1944.

Until then, agriculture, especially livestock, had been the most active economic sector.

In recent decades, the development of a rich historical heritage and the development of family tourism related to water sports and beaches of the town have made Urville-Nacqueville which has a little over 2,200 inhabitants a a popular seaside resort with an authentic spirit. A step is essential for who stays in the Cotentin.

Vauville:

Vauville is a coastal town of the Channel, in Normandy, about twenty kilometers west of Cherbourg.

It merged on January 1, 2017 with 18 other villages to form the new municipality of La Hague, which includes nearly 12,000 inhabitants.

Vauville is located on the west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, at the edge of a cove that bears his name, dotted with beaches dominated by cliffs and including a bird sanctuary.

Although the village has only about 380 inhabitants, its heritage and its environment have become major tourist assets, completing an economy that until then was essentially agricultural. A stage of choice during a stay in the Channel.

Geographical information

MunicipalityLa Hague
Postcode50440
Tourism label
Latitude49.6670740 (N 49° 40’ 1”)
Longitude-1.8449430 (W 1° 50’ 42”)
Surface area148.65 km²
Population11576 inhabitants
Density77 inhabitants/km²
PrefectureSaint-Lô (94 km, 1:21)
Insee code50041
IntercommunalityCA du Cotentin
DepartmentManche
RegionNormandy

Nearest cities & towns

Héauville10.2 km (21 min)
Siouville-Hague12.1 km (25 min)
Teurthéville-Hague12.5 km (25 min)
Nouainville13 km (25 min)
Helleville13.1 km (25 min)
Virandeville13.9 km (26 min)
Sideville14 km (26 min)
Saint-Christophe-du-Foc14.9 km (28 min)
Flamanville15.1 km (28 min)
Tréauville15.3 km (28 min)
Martinvast15.3 km (28 min)
Sotteville15.7 km (29 min)
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin16.1 km (29 min)

Things to see and do

Auderville:

SNSM rescue boat, hiking trail, Ecalgrain bay, tunnel in the cliff established by the Germans during the Second World War.

Gréville-Hague:

The birthplace Jean-François Millet: The birthplace Jean-François Millet allows to discover the peasant condition of the time as well as the political, cultural and scientific context of the society which gave birth to Jean-François Millet and influenced all its work. It is "a peasant son who paints peasants". A common room of a peasant house of the nineteenth century evokes the childhood of the painter. There are many objects of everyday life that are found in his paintings: milk kans, sinot, grasset... A collection of drawings and preparatory sketches can perceive the talent and technique of the artist. A film traces the life and work of the painter. A little further, in the village of Gruchy we find in situ the sources of inspiration of the painter: "The family home", "The house at the well", "The end of the village", "The Rock of Castel Vendon", "The Church of Gréville". An exhibition hall temporarily hosts works by artists, painters, draughtsmen, engravers, inspired by the works of Millet.

Omonville-la-Petite:

The Jacques Prévert House: Before any artist's house, the last home of Jacques Prévert is also a place of memory where one discovers the life and the work of this character through exhibitions. We can see some examples, from the departmental collections, of the multiple work that the poet has left us, in the different rooms of the house: collages, original editions of collections of poems, artist's books in collaboration with Picasso, Ernst, Miró... The centerpiece of the house is his workshop in which the artist spent a lot of time. It was on the table of this workshop that he continued, until the end of his life, to write and collect materials for his collages.

Urville-Nacqueville:

The locality has a rich historical heritage and sites of great interest that are worth seeing or visited before enjoying the beaches...

This is the case of the Château de Nacqueville, listed in the inventory of historic monuments, built in the early sixteenth century. Its wall of enclosure was shot around 1700 and the body of the building was reworked in the 18th and 19th centuries. With its granite walls and stone roofs, the building is characteristic of the manor houses of Cotentin. Created in 1830 by an English landscaper, the park also classified has nothing to envy. Of romantic inspiration, it is crossed by a river in cascade, comprises a pond of water and flowery fountains. The ensemble is dotted with many varieties of rhododendrons, azaleas and hydrangeas, as well as ornamental trees such as palm trees. Open from May 1st to September 30th. Entry: 3 to 7 euros. Information on +33 2 33 03 21 12.

To see then, west of the village, the manor of Dur-Ecu, which dates from the sixteenth century, also listed in the inventory of historical monuments, which was originally intended to monitor the road to the Hague. The courses and the dovecote are open from July to September. Entry: 5 euros. During the Heritage Days, opening of the Great Hall where a temporary exhibition is presented, cellars and dovecote. Entry: 4 euros. Information and bookings for groups +33 6 10 58 68 41.

On the religious level, the two parishes merged after the war and the destruction of the churches of Urville and Nacqueville (it remains only the bell tower of the latter, along the road to Landermer). The current church in stone and schist, dedicated to Notre Dame was built from 1957 on plans of architect François Champart. Its squat appearance is faithful to the local tradition, but the whole is an architectural and aesthetic feat. The stained glass windows in 1960 are signed by master glassmaker Henri Martin-Granelle and have recently been restored. The building, which benefits from excellent acoustics, has also been designed to benefit from a luminosity highlighting stained glass and stained glass throughout the day and sunshine. Some elements saved from destroyed churches are housed, such as the baptismal font of the old church of Urville (XVIII), installed in what looks like a dovecote, a bas-relief or statues. In 2011, an altar in white Carrara marble was also inaugurated and dedicated.

The chapel of Nacqueville (20th century), the oratory Sainte-Barbe, with a polychrome stone statue of the 18th century or the chapel Saint-Clair (13th century), above the hamlet of the River, towards Querqueville, are also worth look.

On the coast, old defensive batteries are still visible. The bass drum of Nacqueville at the current nautical base dates from 1817 and was modified after 1870 before a blockhouse was sunk to its summit by the Germans during the last war.

The high battery of Nacqueville, built between 1878 and 1881, is for its part located on the plateau overlooking the coast.

Finally, to close this panorama of the heritage, by the sea, one will notice some villas of the beginning of the 20th century having escaped the bombardments. Their style is typical of the seaside resorts of Normandy.

It is then time to enjoy the 3 km of beach of the town. Besides lazing around, there is a lot of water sports. Young and old have the opportunity to be accompanied in learning to sail, board, surf, kitesurf or rent boats or sea kayaks at the nautical base open all year. Information on +33 2 33 03 30 52 or +33 6 86 68 29 75.

In the village, tennis fans are not forgotten. It is possible to reserve a court on +33 2 33 03 59 77.

Finally, the main heritage sites such as the seaside can be included in many hiking trails or mountain biking traced in the territory of this town that combines rural green and coastal charms. Documentation and information at +33 2 33 52 74 94.

Vauville:

Before enjoying the beaches, a visit of Vauville can begin with its historical heritage of quality.

This is the case of the Saint-Martin church whose nave dates from the twelfth century and which houses a fifteenth century bas-relief evoking the education of the Virgin.

We will continue, still in the small town, by the castle of the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, which has replaced a first walled fortified medieval which remains a dungeon of the eleventh century. The imposing right-angle building is now famous for its unique exotic garden, designed and enlarged over the decades since 1947 by passionate owners. The garden includes several thematic areas and the largest palm grove in Europe. Change of scenery guaranteed for visitors! Listed in the additional inventory and labeled Remarkable Garden, covering 4 hectares overlooking the sea, there are more than 1,000 plant species. Open from April to September. Entry: 9 euros (free for accompanied minors). Information on +33 6 47 91 92 71.

From the castle, one can win the eighteenth century fort, on the beach, built by Vauban to protect the coast in case of English attack. With a walkway, it could accommodate six men. Classified, the fort is now rented as a cottage.

Still in terms of built heritage, to see also, the former Benedictine priory of Saint-Michel, on the cliffs, and especially its remarkable chapel listed the fifteenth century.

Older site still, the covered alley called Pierres Pouquelées, a set of dolmens forming a collective burial dating from about 4,500 BC.

In terms of the environment, Vauville is rich in a natural reserve, the Vauville pond, a protected and classified site of 60 hectares of major ecological wealth with several hundred species identified (birds, amphibians). An observation post has been set up. Guided tours are regularly organized. Information on +33 2 33 08 44 56.

As for sports and leisure activities, the two so-called Crecque beaches and the campsite, covered with fine sand, are ideal for lazing around as well as for swimming and surf as they lack rocks. On a clear day, there is a view of the Channel Islands.

In a different register, Vauville owns with Meynerol camp (name of the aviator who beat there in 1929 the world record of duration of flight without engine in 8 hours and 4 minutes) an aerodrome specifically adapted to the practice of the flight to sail (gliders) and the ULM. Air baptisms and introductory courses possible by contacting +33 2 33 52 77 72.

Finally, Vauville, its coastline and its territory overlooking the coast is ideal for many hiking or mountain biking including the remarkable sites of the locality. Documentation and information on +33 2 33 52 74 94.

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Natural sites

Events and festivities

Urville-Nacqueville:

On the first weekend of April, Urville-Nacqueville hosts "discovery" activities as part of the nautical festival organized on the whole new town of La Hague.

The 3rd Saturday of July, communal feast with friendly meal and musical entertainment and fireworks shot from the beach.

In early August, his church hosts classical concerts as part of the festival La Hague in Music. Information on +33 6 83 05 01 88.

The last weekend of November, Christmas market at the village hall.

Vauville:

The first weekend of July, feast of the Conte on the site of the priory with strolls tales for young and old.

The second weekend of July, the festival Coup de Vent program a gathering of kites, initiations to sand yachting, balloon releases.

Atelier Sculpture Textile - Broderie
Festival SPRING / Intérieur Nuit
Spectacle de Cirque "Interieur Nuit" - Spring
Concert Of Delay et A Fond D'Cale
Théâtre La Bande des Loufoques
"Paysages de la Hague, par les Petits-Fils de Jean-François Millet " - Maison Natale Jean-François Millet
Théâtre La Bande des Loufoques
Prévert en Balade - Sortie Nature - Maison Jacques Prévert
"Retourner la Terre" - Maison Natale Jean-François Millet
Théâtre La Bande des Loufoques

Photos

Auderville - Cap de la Hague, seen from the coastal path (© Jean Espirat)
Auderville - Cap de la Hague, seen from the coastal path (© Jean Espirat)
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Auderville - Vendémiaire cross and Goury lighthouse - Goury hamlet (© Jean Espirat)
Auderville - Vendémiaire cross and Goury lighthouse - Goury hamlet (© Jean Espirat)
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Auderville - Vendémiaire cross and Goury lighthouse, seen from the hamlet of Goury (© Jean Espirat)
Auderville - Vendémiaire cross and Goury lighthouse, seen from the hamlet of Goury (© Jean Espirat)
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Gréville-Hague - Jean-François Millet's birthplace
Gréville-Hague - Jean-François Millet's birthplace
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Nose of Jobourg and Sennival Cove, seen from the nose of Voidries (© Jean Espirat)
Nose of Jobourg and Sennival Cove, seen from the nose of Voidries (© Jean Espirat)
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Waterfall at Herqueville
Waterfall at Herqueville
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Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
See photo
Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
See photo
Jobourg - The North-West coast, seen from the nose of Voidries (© Jean Espirat)
Jobourg - The North-West coast, seen from the nose of Voidries (© Jean Espirat)
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Gréville-Hague - Millet House
Gréville-Hague - Millet House
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Gréville-Hague - Jean-François Millet birthplace
Gréville-Hague - Jean-François Millet birthplace
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Herqueville beach and its coast
Herqueville beach and its coast
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Low tide on Herqueville beach
Low tide on Herqueville beach
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Omonville-la-Petite - House Jacques Prévert
Omonville-la-Petite - House Jacques Prévert
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Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
Omonville-la-Petite - Jacques Prévert House
See photo
Vauville - The castle
Vauville - The castle
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Vauville
Vauville
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Church of Saint-Germain des Vaux
Church of Saint-Germain des Vaux
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Weather

Tuesday 19 march
Min. 9°C - Max. 12°C
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Night
Wednesday 20 march
Min. 11°C - Max. 15°C
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Night
Thursday 21 march
Min. 10°C - Max. 13°C
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Night

Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Equestrian centers, karting track, sliding sports, paragliding, model aircraft, hiking.

Leisure activities

Last nameActivity typeRateCity
Carriage ride in Cotentin and by the seaside
Nature and the great outdoors5 € to 12 € Digosville (23 km)

Outings

Last nameOuting typeDifficultyDurationDeparture municipality
Cape Circuit
HikeIntermediate3:00Barneville-Carteret (33 km)
The Willows
Village visitEasy1:00Fresville (43 km)
Turqueville's Tower
Village visitEasy1:15Turqueville (51 km)
Cotentin Peninsula
Car itineraryEasy7:00Carentan-les-Marais (59 km)

Restaurants

Bed & breakfasts

Vacation rentals

Campsites

Hotels

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
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