Granville commands stunning views of the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel from its fortified headland. Enjoy this seaside resort’s lively fishing port, medieval Upper Town and museum dedicated to local celebrity Christian Dior, or catch a ferry or sailing boat from here out to the magical Chausey Islands, just 15km away.
A fortified town
Le Roc is the name given to Granville’s dramatic headland. Walk around it not just for fantastic sea views across the Bay of the Mont Saint-Michel (although the holy mount itself remains just out of sight), but also to get an overview of this strategic port’s history. English forces built the earliest fortifications here during the Hundred Years’ War then the French took the place back and Granville went on to produce many admirals and corsairs. At the headland’s western tip, concrete blockhouses recall the German occupation in World War 2.
East along the headland, the striking silhouettes of the Gothic church and a many-turreted house draw you inside the walled Upper Town, packed with fine stone mansions, shops, galleries, crêperies and restaurants.The Musée du Vieux Granville tells the story of port and resort. At Le Roc’s eastern end, the major art museum, the Musée Anacréon, stands in a breathtaking location.
North, below Granville’s headland, spreads the beach resort. A tidal sea-water swimming pool stands out from the broad sands, backed by white beach huts. On the clifftop above, the pink villa where the 20th-century’s most famous fashion designer, Christian Dior, lived as a child is now a delightful museum. Dior’s love of fashion was partly inspired by the Granville Carnival, for which, as a boy, he would make lavish costumes for himself and his friends. Granville’s annual extravaganza is still going strong.
Below Granville’s headland, is the bustling fishing ports, with seafood restaurants clustered behind them. The sailing school beside the big marina is highly regarded. Ferries connect Granville to the Channel Islands, and to Granville’s own archipelago, the Chausey Islands, a magical place to visit, ever changing with the tides.
Things to see and do in Granville
01
The Upper Town
A fascinating place to walk around, with its ramparts, grand buildings, museums, shops and restaurants, and magnificent sea views.
02
The Christian Dior Museum
The enchanting pink Les Rhumbs Villa on the cliffs just north of the town centre, was the childhood home of the great French couturier Christian Dior. Now a museum, the building both honours Dior and hosts wonderful fashion exhibitions. The grounds surrounding the villa are also a pleasure to discover, with breath-taking views, rose garden and tearoom.
03
The Chausey Islands
Just visible on the horizon from Granville, this beautiful archipelago can be reached by ferry or sailing boat, and is made up of 52 islets at high tide and 365 at at low tide, although only the main island (La Grande Ile) is inhabited. Most of the archipelago is a protected nature reserve, and it is possible to book guided walks at low tide to discover the local flora and fauna. There is also one hotel on the Grande Ile, a few gites and a shop.
04
Granville Carnival
One of France’s biggest carnivals, legend has it that it was sailors from Granville who began the tradition of holding a wild Mardi Gras party to lighten their mood before setting off on long transatlantic fishing trips to Newfoundland. Locals love celebrating the biggest carnival in Normandy, which is renowned for its street parades, fancy-dress costumes, street concerts and confetti fights. In 2016, the carnival was added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The local speciality
In Chausey, the lobsters are delicious! The king of shellfish, the blue lobster is caught in traps around the archipelago and is best eaten between April and September. Another of the region’s star products is the Granville whelk, which has lived in the bay since the 1960s. In fact, the Bay is the leading French and European fishing ground for whelks.
Markets days in Granville
The Granville market is held every Saturday morning from 8am to 2pm, both outside and in the covered market. There’s also an organic market on the Cours Jonville on Tuesday afternoons. On Wednesdays, the Saint-Nicolas market takes place on the Place du 11 novembre.
How do I get to Granville by public transport?
- By train: direct line from Paris Montparnasse, Caen or Rennes
- By coach: Granville is served by 4 Nomad Car routes: route 305 (Lison-Granville), route 307 (Avranches-Granville), route 308 (Mont-Saint-Michel – Granville) and route 311 (summer route: Coutances – Granville by the coast).
Granville, a Green Destinations town
Granville has been awarded the global Green Destinations label. It rewards tourist destinations on the basis of environmental, socio-economic and cultural criteria. Other towns in Normandy have also been awarded the label: Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Caen and Forges-les-Eaux.
Our selection of low-carbon trips
