GR®223 - Saint-Germain-sur-Ay Plage - Pirou-Pont

This 26 km stage takes you to discover the inland areas. The path winds its way through a landscape of heather and pine trees.

Leaving Saint-Germain-sur-Ay inlet behind you, you’ll enter Fierville heath. You need to cross the D650: be careful on this dangerous road. In this wooded section, you’ll see a completely different side to the territory.

The path takes you to Lessay Abbey. Take a break to admire and visit this gem of Romanesque architecture. Next, the path heads through Lessay heath on the way to Pirou-Pont. This remarkable natural area is characterised by heather, gorse, broom and pine trees. Lessay heath is one of the biggest in Normandy.

After crossing the bridge, if you want to, you can head away from the marked path to take a short break at the Château de Pirou. This elegant granite fortress surrounded by a moat dates back to the 12th century.

Next, walk back to the path and head to the seafront. A variant exists (the GR®223B) which goes inland if you want to visit Coutances. The route markers begin again at the Pont de la Roque.