Normandy tips

[aprilshowers2015]

Bonjour,
Travelling to Normandy and will have a day and a half before our friends arrive. Friends are very familiar with the area and will be making plans for us but wondered if anyone knew of any gems we could explore? We will be arriving Sunday early afternoon and staying 45 mins south of Cherbourg. 2 DC 3.5 and 4 months. Elder DC loves being outside, parks, beaches etc.
thanks!

We found Normandy attractions a bit limited with young children as it's mainly war history stuff that isn't really suitable for noisy toddlers. If it's a rainy day, Cherbourg has a nice aquarium Cite de la Mer. Or for something outdoors and historical, maybe have a look at the Maisy Battery at Grandchamp-Maisy, it has trenches and bunkers your eldest can explore without having to be too quiet and serious. Plenty of beaches around there too.

It might be too far away for you, but ours enjoyed Zoo Cerza, and if you're heading towards Honfleur there's Naturospace which has a tropical house with butterflies. There's a few farm parks around as well which looked good but we didn't round to visiting those.

Zoo de Champrepus might be near you and is a good day out, also maybe Alligator Bay which is near Mont St Michel. There is a small aquarium at Granville.