Home -> Travel itineraries -> One week itinerary in the English Channel with a dog
A week of road trip in the Channel
Duration : 1 week
For : 2 adults, 2 children and 1 dog
Or : from Mont-Saint-Michel to Pointe du Cotentin
Type : family holidays
Accommodations : QUALIDOG campsites, hotels or lodges
Vacation itinerary
La Manche, between culture and nature
Did you know that the Channel is much more than the Cotentin cliffs and shore to landing ? It is also a land rich in remains dating from prehistory, attractions for children and surprising nature. Some are even unique in the world!
For explore the English Channel with your dog in the best conditions, I have selected for you the crème de la crème of dog-friendly accommodation. They are all QUALIDOG certified, the ultimate solution for welcoming your whole family with your dog!
Please also note that Attitude Manche, with whom we are partners, has listed for you many dog-friendly addresses in the Channel, in addition to this itinerary.
The day by day itinerary
The menu
with your family
A week of family vacation, discovering the Channel and its surprises! Head to Normandy!
the itinerary in detail: day by day
Discover the history and unexpected heritage of La Manche
The famous Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, Avranches, Donville, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the Cotentin Marshes, the Armorican Massif or even the fine sandy beaches... La Manche does not lack diversity!
Located in the west of Normandy, this department has an inexhaustible cultural wealth. And good news, we have recently been working with the teams from Channel Attitude, the destination’s tourism experts. They have started a dog-friendly approach alongside us as Label Manche, gîtes de France and Clé vacances de la Manche, and this route is one of their first actions. They are therefore happy to offer you this beautiful itinerary to explore their beautiful territory. I have selected Wouafement Chouettes activities for you here, adapted to a family with two children and a dog. In on foot, by bike and even in the air, everyone will be able to fully enjoy it! 😉
NB: be aware that several activities offered in this itinerary are closed in winter…
Every day, I present to you several welcoming accommodations with care – and above all, with joy! – families with their dogs. To be sure that your dog will be as well off as you, they are all QUALIDOG certified! It's up to you to book the one that suits you best for this roadtrip across the Channel.
This route begins in the very south of the English Channel. You will then gradually move up the department over the days, to explore it as much as possible! To fully enjoy the activities, there's nothing better than sleeping with trusted, QUALIDOG-certified partners 😉 For the first 2 days, you have the choice. More camping? Opt for the Camping Sandaya Mont-Saint-Michel in Genêts – 4 stars. More like a hotel? The hotel Best Western Montgomery à Pontorson will be perfect for your children and your dog!
Day 1 - We're having fun in the Channel!
For this first day of your itinerary in the English Channel, I offer you laughter, wonder, and… animals! Wow cool discoveries to share with your children and your dog 🤩
The morning :
- We start strong with the Ange Michel amusement park in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët. In the heart of nature, it offers 45 activities! Thrilling attractions, for the little ones or to share with the whole family, you are sure to find what you are looking for and that of your children. And dogs are allowed on a leash, W'ouf Course! They simply do not have access to the attractions and the mini farm. Please note: the park is open from April to September.
Noon :
- A picnic in the amusement park, what do you think? An area with picnic tables in the shade is available.
The afternoon :
- Visit the Gortière Farm, 30 minutes from your previous stop. You will discover farm animals with the famous Norman cows, a Norman peasant house, before finishing with… a delicious Norman snack, of course! Something to delight the taste buds of young and old alike!
Mont-Saint-Michel is a must-see destination but it is not very dog-friendly. Your dog can accompany you but he will not be able to take the shuttle to the Mont (2,5km road). He will not be able to visit the abbey with you but he will be able to enter the 4 museums of the Mont… Bonus: you can absolutely book a guided crossing of the bay and discover the bay and Mont-Saint-Michel from the outside. Do not venture out alone: between the shifting sands and the tide which rises very quickly, the risks are significant.
Day 2 - From the heights of Avranches to the Sélune river
Avranches, does that mean something to you? It was in this city that at the end of July 1944, the American army managed to create a breach in the German front. The town of Avranches is therefore known for this event called “the Avranches breakthrough”, which allowed the Liberation of the Channel and a few weeks later of Paris! Want a piece of our History with your children and your dog?
The morning :
- Visit Avranches in an interactive and fun way thanks to the discovery trails set up by the city. Transform yourself into explorers with your children and retrace the American army's Operation Cobra, the one which enabled the breakthrough at Avranches (application to download) ! You can also walk around the city and scan the QR codes located in front of the remarkable places. Archives, sketches, and even old photos will be revealed and explained to you 🧐
- Also enjoy a shaded walk in the Avranches plant garden, listening to the gentle sound of waterfalls and the song of birds. Doggie can even cool off in the streams! At the very top, the view over the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel and the mountain itself is worth the detour!
Noon :
- Have lunch at the restaurant at Wiwi : local and friendly cuisine where families with their dogs are welcome
The afternoon :
- Relax during a Bucolic canoe trip on the Sélune river. From May to September, the Avranches canoe club organizes these unusual visits on Tuesdays and Fridays. A wonderfully original way to discover the forest and the enchanted villages of La Manche with your children and your dog!
Bonus: Throughout 2024, the city of Avranches is organizing exhibitions and events to celebrate 80 years of the Liberation of Avranches. If you like the History of the Second World War, consider watching the program during your stay 😉
For the next 2 days of your itinerary in the English Channel with your family and your dog, I suggest you stay at Vanlée campsite in Bréhal. Dogs are welcomed with a small gift, and there are activities for children. A campsite surrounded by nature and by the sea, perfect for unwinding with your feet in the water after a busy day 🌊
PS: I advise you to reach the campsite by the coastal road between Avranches and Donville to admire Mont Saint-Michel!
Day 3 - La Vélomaritime: discover the Channel from inland
- I couldn't recommend an itinerary in the Channel without telling you about Vélomaritime! This 1500 km cycle path starts from Roscoff in Brittany and connects to Bray-Dunes in the North! Would you like a cycling day on the Vélomaritime? I promise, you won't do the 1500 km (not this time, anyway 😜).
The morning :
- Explore the interior of the English Channel by Velomaritime. Start in Ducey to reach the town of Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, or continue to Mortain-Bocage (2 hours to 4 hours by bike). You can rent bikes from the Iris Sport rental agency. You can also rent a trailer for your two children or your dog 🚲🐶 Don’t worry: they have electric bikes! The little extra from Iris Sport: delivery of bikes to your starting point!
Noon :
- If you go as far as Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët: the Quent Inn restaurant in Grandparigny offers traditional Norman dishes. Don't worry, it's dog-friendly and there's space nearby for your bikes! It's best to book in advance if you want enough space for 4 people 😉
- In Mortain-Bocage, the pizzeria guiPisa will bring a little bit of Italy back to Normandy! You can leave your bikes in one of the bike boxes available on the castle square, right next door.
The afternoon :
- Take a stroll in Saint-Hilaire du Harcouët. Its historic monuments, the Priory lakes and the arboretum await you to vary the pleasures with your children and your dog!
- And if you have taken the excursion as far as Mortain, know that from the castle square in Mortain-Bocage, an enchanted world awaits you! Within 1 km, discover 3 gems: the Small and Large Waterfall of Mortain et the Aiguille Rock, which lives up to its name 😀 You can also explore the forest in a fun way thanks to application from the community. Your dog will of course be able to dip his paws. However, be careful of yourself and your children when you gain height, the wet ground can slip!
PS: for this night, you have the choice of either staying in your previous accommodation and going to Donville tomorrow morning or going directly there this evening.
Day 4 - Donville and the silent city
Carolles, Jullouville, Saint-Pair-sur-Mer, Granville… I’m taking you to Donville for this 4th day. You will be amazed by it today: between the waves of the sea and the bells of Villedieu.
The morning :
- Enjoy the balade Grass balconies in Donville-les-Bains with your children and your dog. A 4 or 6 km loop to stretch your legs, with a view of the bay of Mont Saint-Michel and the Chausey islands 🐾 What more could you ask for? Oh yes, at low tide, you will also be able to see the mussel beds. These are the rows of stakes surrounded by ropes on which the mussels grow. Exciting, right?
For the lunch :
- I highly recommend the creperie La flambée des coppers in Villedieu-les-Poêles. It is famous, you will definitely need to book! Suitable for families and dog-friendly, everything we love 👌
The afternoon :
- A truly original visit: that of the Cornille Havard Bell Foundry. Discover an ancestral art of bell making, so renowned that Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral has had 9 bells from this foundry since 2013! Between February and November, you can enjoy a one-hour guided tour with your children and your dog. However, if your dog is sensitive to noise, avoid going with him because the campanists, who make and maintain the bells, are working during the visit.
- Browse the historic circuit of Villedieu-les-Poêles. The 1,5 km route is available on a free leaflet distributed by the Tourist Office, also on its website. Walk the streets of this town formerly called the Muted City, due to the deafening noise of the numerous workshops. Stories of knights, war heroes but also monuments and exceptional crafts await you, your children and your dog!
Day 5 - A castle and fun for your children and your dog
For this new stage of the itinerary, I offer you a balanced program to strengthen your neurons in the morning with a little culture and your muscles in the afternoon with a little sport!
The morning :
- visit the Gratot castle, a real fortified castle from the end of the 13th century. Its ruins have been restored and are sensational today! The legend of the Gratot fairy lives in this place 🧚 Enough to arouse the curiosity of children and adults alike! And you can visit the castle with your dog, W'ouf Course!
Noon :
- picnic at the next stop: the leisure center of the Sarcelles pond
The afternoon :
- It's time to have fun with the family at Sarcelles pond leisure center ! 3 hectares to exercise: pedal boats, hiking, children's playground, sports course, mini-golf, cycling... And even a mini train, with mini stations! There's something for everyone, and your dog can accompany you.
On the evening of this fifth day of your dog-friendly family itinerary, I advise you to settle in one of the dog holiday lodges, labeled QUALIDOG. These gîtes bear their name wonderfully well since they are each surrounded by a large enclosed garden. Your dog will also be entitled to little touches from your hosts, because everything is done to make the WHOLE family feel at home!
Day 6 - Cotentin, from prehistory to today
Here we have arrived in Cotentin for this sixth day of our Manche itinerary. Known for its magnificent cliffs, I suggest you first discover it from the inside and its heights!
The morning :
- The Mont Castre circuit is a must in Manche lands. Rest assured, the ascent of this ancient mountain, now well eroded, is accessible to families with dogs. Indeed, the Mount culminates at only 130 m above sea level, but offers a 360° view over the entire Cotentin! In addition, a pretty body of water typical of the Normandy countryside is located in an old stone quarry. This 7 km hike will take you back in time. Are you ready ? There you will find the remains of paved paths dating from prehistory, the ruins of a castle... And stop, I'll stop there, because I'm not going to reveal all its surprises to you! The explanatory panels on the route will do it much better than me 😉
Noon :
- Picnic at Mont Castre. You have a picnic area with games for children and public toilets!
The afternoon :
- After days of wandering around everywhere, I suggest you rest your body and open your eyes wide! Board the little tourist train of Cotentin, a real train from the 50s. You will have plenty of time to admire the beauty of the landscapes and typical villages of La Manche. The good news is that you can benefit from a family rate, and your dog is welcome! However, as it does not have a designated place, avoid peak times.
Evening :
- How about an aperitif by the water at sunset? For this, the beaches of Fermanville lend themselves to it wonderfully. Your dog will just need to be tied up, and watch out for horses that can get there! L'Clairefontaine relaxation area is also ideal, with its self-service agility field and a small 4 km loop around the lake!
For your night, you can sleep at Sandaya campsite L’Anse du Brick – 5 stars in Maupertus-sur-Mer, or at campsite Le Village Vert in Tollvast. Both are of course dog-friendly and kids-friendly 😃
Day 7 - La Manche and its heroes
It's already the last day of your itinerary in the English Channel with your children and your dog! As you have understood, Manche is a department steeped in history... So to finish in style, I offer you ultra original and typically Norman visits.
The morning :
- visit the Écausseville airship hangar. I promised you originality, here it is! It is indeed unique in the world. Airships played an important role during both World Wars, but also during the Cold War. You can discover this as a family thanks to the interactive museum. You and your children can even fly in an aeroplume! Your dog can accompany you during the visit but he will keep all four paws on the ground, W'ouf Course! Please note, it is only open from February to November.
- Then continue with a visit to la Azeville battery, built during the Second World War. In rather good condition, it is gigantic since it has 4 enormous bunkers and 300 meters of underground passages! 😱 And doggie is welcome!
Noon :
- Lunch at The John Steele Inn. It is part of the accommodations offered for this last night! Even if you sleep elsewhere tonight, you still absolutely have to taste its cuisine 🥘
The afternoon :
- Immerse yourself in the daily life of Norman farmers at la Cotentin farm-museum. Your 5 senses will be stimulated during the many discoveries that await you. From contact with animals (all Norman breeds) to the processing of products, including the farm's collections... You will come away amazed with your children, and your dog will have discovered a whole world!
- Then tread the cobblestones of the charming town of Sainte-Mère-l'église. This played a major role in the Liberation of the Channel during the German Occupation. I advise you to pass by the church where you will see the mannequin of a famous parachutist 😏
- You can end with Ravenoville beach, relatively uncrowded and allowed dogs on a leash all year round! Seeing your children building sandcastles and your dog digging the moat, not a bad last memory of the Channel, right?
For your last night in the Channel, here are 5 QUALIDOG-certified accommodations:
- le campsite Le Cormoran in Sainte-Mère-Église, on the edge of the landing beaches, with a walking area for your dog
- THEInn The John Steele in Sainte-Mère-Église, whose dog-friendly restaurant offers seasonal and local dishes
- le gîte La Nuit des gliders in Carentan-les-Marais, with an enclosed garden, in the heart of the marshes
- THEKyriad Carentan hotel in Carentan-les-Marais, which has provided soundproofed rooms if your dog barks, and play areas for all ages
- Le campsite la Ferme du Bord de Mer in Gatteville-le-Phare: everything is said in the name, and it accepts categorized dogs !
QUALIDOG accommodation available
Do you like this 100% dog-friendly vacation program? Here are all our QUALIDOG accommodations in Manche, you will definitely find what you are looking for for this roadtrip from the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel to the Cotentin!
Auberge Le John Steele
With its dog-friendly restaurant 🐶
Camping La Ferme du Bord de Mer
Direct access to the beach allowed for dogs!
Camping Le Cormoran
Dog-friendly beach 50 meters away 💦
Your questions, our answers
Want to know more about this vacation itinerary that will take you on a journey through the department of Manche ? here are some important details to prepare your family stay with your dog.
This travel itinerary has been designed for one dog but the restaurants and activities offered can accommodate two or three dogs. Check carefully before you go there.
Wow race! Whatever accommodation you choose, the vaccination record of your dog may be requested upon your arrival. Of course, it must be up to date on vaccination, dewormer, anti-flea and tick treatment… Remember that your dog must be identified by a chip or a tattoo: it is strictly obligatory.
Since you are preparing to spend a vacation between sightseeing, beaches and marshes, there are a few essentials. For example, consider taking the harness and leave alone of your dog, a foldable bowl and croquettes. For walks, a pack bag can be useful. Finally, for canoeing and swimming, a safety jacket and total micro fiber towel to wipe it, it's practical!
In order to plan your seaside activities in complete safety, check the tide times on the site tide.info.
I have suggested 2 to you, but fortunately, there are plenty of other beaches where dogs are allowed in the Channel! Find them in our top 10 beaches in the English Channel to go with your dog 😉
Are you up for pedaling a part of the Vélomaritime? To properly prepare for this step, I give you my best advice in our article Cycling with your dog: advice and equipment.
Our holiday advice
Beach and dog
Here are some important tips for a stay at the seaside with your dog. Sand, salt, waves… to avoid dangers, it’s better to be warned.
Complete guide
Are you staying more than a week in La Manche or would you like to replace certain activities? Find all the essentials in the department's travel guide.
Visits and dog
Visiting a tourist site with your dog is great! However, it is being prepared, to preserve everyone's tranquility and for everyone to benefit from it. 😉
Prepare your vacation in La Manche
for your dog and you
Other suggestions for your vacation in the English Channel with your family and your dog.
Did this 100% dog-friendly vacation itinerary tempt you? Do you want us to take care of everything? Entrust your project to our partner Pokki Travels for a turnkey trip.
6 Reviews
Great ideas to exploit in the Channel. Lots of places to discover together It feels good Thank you all
It's really great that this site exists and that this information and these routes are free. Thank you
Uzu and I thank you for your site and these different contents which are so practical so that we can go on vacation together!! Thank you ❤️
Well done... it's a great site and itinerary to get information on traveling with your dog. Thank you for your work
Great site and itinerary from W'ouf! Thank you
Very good ideas for outings with our dog in the English Channel.