Major city · France
Coutances
Half a day: see the cathedral, walk the old town and have lunch. Not worth an overnight unless you're using it as a quiet base for the Cotentin Peninsula.
Coutances is a small market town on the Cotentin Peninsula, best known for its soaring Gothic cathedral. Most travellers pass through on the way to Cherbourg, Granville or Mont Saint-Michel. The town itself can be seen in a few hours, but its quiet streets and local markets make a pleasant break from the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (many places close or have limited hours)
- Airports
- CDG · ORY
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Coutances17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Coutances, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyCoutances is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire · 15 ambulance (samu) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCDG Charles de Gaulle Airport (About 3.5 h by train via Paris Montparnasse).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (demi)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Museum or sight ticketCathedral entryFree (check)
- Budget bedCampsite pitch (tent or campervan), a night, per person€15 (≈ US$18)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a guesthouse or hotel, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDG Charles de Gaulle Airport (About 3.5 h by train via Paris Montparnasse) · ORY Orly Airport (About 3.5 h by train via Paris Montparnasse)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Aug
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Coutances: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Jul
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Aug
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable. A car is useful for exploring the peninsula. Buses connect to Cherbourg, Saint-Lô and Granville (check schedules).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
Car via D971 and A84, about 1 h
Combine with Avranches or Granville for a full day.
Door to door: 45 min
Car via N13, about 45 min
Visit the Cité de la Mer and the harbour.
Door to door: 30 min
Car via D971, about 30 min
Seaside town with a walled old town and a casino.
Avranches
goDoor to door: 25 min
Car via D973, about 25 min
Scriptorial museum and views of Mont Saint-Michel.
Saint-Lô
goDoor to door: 30 min
Car via N174, about 30 min
Haras national and war memorial.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Walking distance to the cathedral and restaurants; limited options.
Outskirts (camping)
Municipal campsite Les Vignettes, open all year.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–70 (≈ US$60–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a guesthouse or hotel1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Lunch for one (crêperie or bistro)2 × €15 | €30 |
| Coffee and pastry2 × €5 | €10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €34 |
| Trip total≈ €187 per person per day, bed included | €374≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Crêpe (savoury) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Menu du jour (lunch) | €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) |
| Beer (demi) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Glass of wine | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Cathedral entry | Free (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cathedral opening hours vary; check the official site before visiting.
- Jazz sous les pommiers tickets sell out in advance.
- Many shops and restaurants close on Sundays and Mondays.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- European emergency number
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CoutancesCoutances
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire18
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- European emergency number112
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Paris; consulates in Marseille, Strasbourg and Lyon. Most other countries: embassies in Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Coutances → Mont Saint-Michel (car): about 1 h, tolls on A84 (check)
- Coutances → Cherbourg (car): about 45 min, no tolls
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo pleh)
- Combien ? — How much? (kohm-byen)
- Où est la cathédrale ? — Where is the cathedral? (oo eh la ka-tay-dral)
- Je ne comprends pas — I don't understand (zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Coutances. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (many places close or have limited hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the cathedral and the jazz festival with verified opening hours and ticket links.
- Eat pages for the best crêperies and seafood restaurants.
- Day-trip pages for Mont Saint-Michel, Cherbourg, Granville, Avranches and Saint-Lô with transfer details.
Sources
Ask about Coutances
Loading…
Was this useful?