Granville

Visit Granville, Normandy

Granville is a coastal resort on the Normandy coast, to the north of Mont-Saint-Michel and south of Coutances, on the coast to the south-west of the Cotentin peninsula. The location of Granville at the entrance to the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel makes it a popular destination with visitors to the region.

A brief history of Granville

Originally created as a viking settlement, Granville subsequently became part of English territory in France from the 14th century until 1442 (just before the end of the Hundred Years War). Over the following centuries the town grew wealthy as one of the most important port towns in Normandy, the period during which the historic centre of Granville was developed.

The importance of the port for the navy led to substantial fortifications being built around the old town during the 17th century. By the 19th century fishing was declining and Saint-Malo had became a more important port. It was about this time that the Paris to Granville train line opened and Granville started to develop as a tourist destination. Many of the grand townhouses here date from this period of renewed prosperity.

Exploring Granville

Along the seafront in the centre of the town there is an accessible and pleasant long beach, the Plage du Plat Gousset, a pleasure port and harbour lined by 19th century houses, and an unusual art-deco style casino built in the early 20th century.

At the end of the beach there is staircase leading to the gardens and 19th century 'Villa les Rhumbs' where Christian Dior and family spent each summer. Christian Dior was born in Granville in 1905 and baptised in the church here, and the house is now a museum dedicated to his fashion creations.

Behind the sea front you can explore the narrow streets of the historic centre, and the ramparts that surrounded the town, including the gateway and drawbridge that historically granted access to the centre.

The most important religious monument in Granville is the 17th century Church of Notre-Dame, in the historic centre and overlooking the sea, with the church tower acting as a beacon to arriving boats. The church is best known for its contemporary stained glass windows. You can also see the church of Saint-Paul and a small and unusual protestant temple in the town.

There is a focus on plants and flowers in Granville - the town is 3* Ville Fleurie, and as well as the Christian Dior garden you will come across the extensive Val-es-Fleur park and other small parks in the town.

Apart from the Christian Dior Museum, Granville also has a Museum of Modern Art (mostly works of art by lesser known modern artists from the early 20th century) and a museum dedicated to the historical heritage of the town.

Granville and twin towns

Note: Granville is the French town that is the founder member of the Douzelage - a European wide twin-town association. Since the organisation has 23 members Granville has 22 'twin-towns' including Sherborne (Dorset, England); Bad Kotzting (Germany); Bellagio (Lake Como, Italy), Meerssen (Netherlands); Altea (Spain); Preveza (Greece) and Sesimbra (Portugal).

Tourist classifications for Granville: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 3*; Recommended detour town (plus beau detour);

Suggested places to visit near Granville, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Emerald Coast 37km; Saint-Malo 37km; Dinard 41km; Combourg 49km; Vire 52km; Dinan 54km; Plancoet 58km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Granville

Granville tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel (Mont-Saint-Michel) - religious monument (23km) : Pointe du Grouin - site of natural beauty (23km) : Argences - remarkable garden (23km) : Parc du château de Bonnefontaine - remarkable garden (43km) : Domjean - ville fleurie 4* (44km) : Jardins de Montmarin - remarkable garden (44km) : Jardin du château de La Ballue - remarkable garden (44km) : Parc floral de Haute-Bretagne - remarkable garden (53km) :

French version: see Granville (Francais)