COUTANCES, a town of France, department of La Manche, and capital of an arrondissement of the same name, is situated on a hill at the confluence of the Soule and Bulzard, 16 miles west by south of St Lô. It is the seat of a bishop, and has a fine old Gothic cathedral, and two other handsome churches, a communal college, public library, theatre, &c. Its chief manufactures are woollen and cotton goods, tape, lace, parchments, and hardware; and it has an active trade in horses, cattle, grain, flax, hemp, and butter. Pop. (1851) 7295.