Manche

Manche is located in northwestern France, in the Normandy region, on the Cotentin Peninsula, with Cherbourg-en-Cotentin as its capital. The department is known for the famous island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the beaches where Allied forces landed during World War II, and its maritime-nuclear industry (the Cherbourg submarine shipyards). Its economy combines agriculture, livestock farming, maritime industries, and historical tourism. An oceanic climate, dramatic tides (Mont-Saint-Michel has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world), and a moderate cost of living are among the department's features.

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Saint-Lô, Granville

• Campus de Cherbourg – Université de Caen Normandie
• Pôles d'enseignement supérieur à Saint-Lô

The cities in this department are relatively small and have a calm, family-friendly atmosphere. Cherbourg is somewhat larger and more industrial, but overall the level of safety is standard and acceptable.

Cherbourg and Saint-Lô both have train stations and are connected to Caen and other Normandy cities by TER. Urban bus networks operate within the cities, and regional buses run between towns.