The lovely old Norman town of Coutances makes for a nice detour on the way to Mont St-Michel from the D-Day beaches or Cherbourg. At the town’s heart is the Gothic Cathédrale de Coutances, whose interior highlights include several 13th-century windows, a 14th-century fresco of St Michael skewering the dragon, and an organ and high altar from the mid-1700s.
An English audioguide (€3) can be picked up at the tourist office (at the cathedral in July and August); those over 10 years of age can climb the lantern tower on a French-language tour (adult/child €7/4; 11am & 3pm Mon-Fri, 3pm Sun Jul & Aug).
