Cotentin Peninsula: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

The Cotentin Peninsula forms part of the north-west coast of France. It juts out from Normandy into the English Channel towards England and forms a major part of the region of Normandy. It is part of the Armorican Massif and lies between the estuary of the River Vire and Mont Saint Michel Bay. It is divided into three areas: the headland of La Hague, the Cotentin Pass, and the valley of the River Saire.

It forms the bulk of the département of Manche.

The largest town in the peninsula is Cherbourg on the north coast, a major cross-channel port.

Other towns of note: Coutances, Barfleur, Saint-Lô, Bricquebec, Granville, Barneville-Carteret, Carentan, Avranches.

The town of Valognes was, until the French Revolution, a provincial social resort for the aristocracy, nicknamed the Versailles of Normandy. Little remains of the grand houses and châteaux as a result of the destruction of the Battle of Normandy. The social scene was described in the novels of Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly (himself from the Cotentin)

The Battle of La Hougue took place in 1692 at Saint-Vaast La Hougue near Barfleur.

At Flamanville at Cap de La Hague, there is a treatment plant for nuclear waste operated by COGEMA since 1984.

Due to its comparative isolation, the peninsula is one of the remaining strongholds of the Norman language.

Until the construction of modern roads, the peninsula was almost inaccessible in winter due to the band of marshland cutting off the higher ground of the promontory itself. this explains occasional historical references to the cotentin as an island.