In the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, in Normandy, halfway between Caen and Rennes, Granville is a small town of 15,000 inhabitants with all the advantages of a larger one, and the sea to boot! With 30 km of beaches, an archipelago, independent shops and a lively events scene which is very popular with neighbouring Parisians, Granville can offer you a new lease of life.
Feel like you’re on holiday all year round
Top 5 reasons to move to Granville
01
Swap the commute for the seaside
and say au revoir to traffic jams. Here, you may even find yourself using the boat, the free bus and your bike more than the car.
02
Treat yourself
Try your luck at the casino, go shopping in the many shops in the town centre, stroll along the Plat Gousset promenade after a great meal, or get pampered at the spa.
03
A pleasant climate
Granville, like the rest of Normandy, enjoys a temperate oceanic climate that is neither too cold nor too hot. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t rain that often: less than in Paris or London, anyway!
04
Everything you need to stay in shap
If you’re into sport, you’re bound to find an activity that’s right up your street (or treadmill). Water sports are of course a major feature, but not the only one. The Cité des Sports in Granville and the gymnasium at Saint-Pair-sur-Mer are home to a wide range of sporting activities. And if hiking is your thing, you’re in for a treat.
05
A packed cultural calendar
There’s always something going on in Granville. Carnival, festivals, concerts, nights out, shows, theatre and exhibitions attract a large number of visitors all year round.
Move to Granville with peace of mind: we’re here to help!
Before you pack your bags, do you need help finding a home in Granville, a job, a school, childcare or just finding your way around? Sit back and let us guide you!
- AVF Granville Terre et Mer : guidance on moving to Granville and a range of activities and outings to help you make new friends and settle right in.
- Granville Town Hall : for all your day-to-day needs (schools, transport, finding services and shops, housing, local planning, etc.)
- Granville Terre et Mer : the community of municipalities that assists your everyday life.
What not to miss in Granville
From the corsair town to the neighbouring coastal towns and rural villages of Donville-sur-Mer, Bréhal, Jullouville and Carolles, Granville is full of hidden gems.
And also…
Sur les hauteurs de Donville, la maison natale du célèbre couturier a été convertie en musée et en jardin public avec une exceptionnelle vue mer.
These two Unesco World Heritage gems host the spectacle of Europe’s highest tides, several times a year.
Granville Regional Nautical Centre
For both leisure and competitive sailing, France’s 3rd largest sailing school offers catamaran, optimist and windsurfing lessons and courses all year round.
Working by the sea in Granville
Is the beach calling you? It’s time – you’ve decided that you want to move to Normandy!
If you don’t already have a job lined up, you should be able to find one or set up your own business in Granville without any difficulty.
The top sectors and companies recruiting in Granville
Water sports
Water-based activities are one of the key drivers of Granville’s economic appeal. The 4-star watersports centre is also home to a popular marina.
Fishing
Granville is France’s leading shellfish port and the 2nd largest port in the Manche department after Cherbourg. Its fleet comprises 50 fishing boats and some 250 fishermen. The port is also home to a fish market (known as a “criée”, because of how sellers used to shout to sell their fish).
The local farming of shellfish (oysters, bouchot mussels and clams) is also one of the most successful in France.
Tourism
As a popular nautical destination, Granville benefits from a thriving tourist economy. You’ll have no trouble finding a job in the hotel and restaurant industry.
Fashion and luxury goods
In Saint-Pair-sur-Mer, Ateliers Grandis produces luxury and haute couture clothing using traditional methods.
In Granville, Macon & Lesquoy’s embroidered patches are a roaring success, leading them to develop partnerships with major brands such as Le Parapluie de Cherbourg, Vanessa Bruno and others.
Food industry
Thousands of tonnes of crackers and biscuits are produced by the Mondelez factory in Granville every year. In Cérences, Lis (Lesaffre group) specialises in producing baker’s yeast.
Healthcare
Granville is home to a highly acclaimed marine rehabilitation and occupational therapy centre. Its “Le Normandy” centre has two sites and employs 500 people.
The Avranches-Granville hospital has almost 800 beds.
Are you an entrepreneur or freelancer who wants to develop your business in Granville?
Networking and coworking spaces are available (Granville Digital, la Station in Donville, the HEP Espace Partagé in Brécey).
Studying in Granville: the good student life!
As well as an ideal living environment, Granville offers its students a wide range of high-quality courses.
Academic establishments in Granville
What’s on in Granville
Event – February
In the five days leading up to Mardi Gras, over 150,000 visitors gather to watch the satirical and humorous parade of 45 floats and 3,000 carnival-goers. The event has even been recognised by UNESCO.
Sorties de Bain Festival
Street performances – July
Dance, theatre, comedy, storytelling, song… Around fifty free shows will be taking over the streets of Granville to celebrate the summer.
Grandes marées Festival
Music- Du 20 au 28 juillet 2024
Good music for a good time, in an idyllic setting in Jullouville. Don’t miss out! The event is bound to be popular.
Toute la mer sur un plateau (All the sea on a platter)
Food & drink – September/october
Head to the fishing port to enjoy shellfish tasting and live music. Also on the menu: cookery workshops, a market, concerts, seafood for sale and more!
