Discovering the Chausey Islands

A charming archipelago

Chausey, a little piece of paradise just a stone’s throw from the mainland!

Feel like playing explorer for a day? Then don’t hesitate to set off and discover these islets, which have everything to seduce you. The Chausey Islands are a must-see if you’re in the area! Located in Normandy, in the English Channel, just a few kilometers from the mainland, the archipelago stretches 12 km from east to west and 6 km from north to south. It comprises a dozen islands, the main one being Grande Ile. Only a dozen or so inhabitants live here year-round, but the island fills up during the summer months with summer residents, mostly day-trippers and fishermen on foot. Easily reached by boat from Granville, the crossing takes 45 minutes to 1 hour on the Jolie France speedboats. It’s an easy day trip, but once you’re there, you’ll want to stay!

There’s a saying in Chausey: “Who comes to Chausey once, comes back 300 times! “

The Chausey archipelago is unique in Europe for its beauty and high tides. It is one of the few sites with more than 14 meters of tidal range (difference in height between low and high tide). When the sea is high, there are 52 islets, and when it’s low, 365! Legend has it that there are as many islets emerging as there are weeks in the year at high tide, and that when the sea recedes, it uncovers as many as there are days in the year…. These islands are made of granite, which is why granite has been quarried here for nearly 8 centuries to build homes in the surrounding area. Did you know that granite from the Chausey Islands was used to build Mont Saint-Michel, as well as sidewalks in Paris and London?

On foot along the island’s paths!

If you’re a nature lover or an avid hiker, there’s no other way than to put Chausey on your list. Not for its difficulty, as the island is quite flat and small, but more particularly for the beauty of its landscapes. Explore the island along the coastal path and you’ll be able to see all its richness, its distinctive flora, its rich, wild and unspoiled fauna and splendid views over the archipelago. It’s easy to walk the entire length of the island without hurrying. Along the way, you’ll discover the fishing village of Les Blainvillais, the semaphore, the various coves and sandy beaches, the fort, the old school, the lighthouse, the Renault castleteau Renault, the Maison Marin Marie, the Tour Lambert and the many rocks that resemble figures sculpted by the hand of man (an elephant, a turtle, human faces…).

Swimming and fishing!

You can choose to put your towel down on one of the 6 fine white sand beaches. The 3 largest are Port Homard, Port Marie and Grande Grève. The smaller ones are Port à l’Anse, l’anse des Blainvillais and Gros Mont. Wherever you settle, these little coves are a child’s paradise for building sandcastles or dams when the sea rises! Not to mention swimming, of course! If you’re a fan of fishing on foot, the island of Chausey offers miles of sandbanks and is renowned forits lobster and bouquet fishing, but you can also fish for crabs, shellfish andother delicacies.You can alsofish for crabs and shellfish (razor clams, cockles, razor clams, clams, etc.), but be sure to find out before you leave about tide times, shellfish sizes, authorized fishing areas and periods.

Touring the archipelago by boat

To complete your visit, you can opt for a guided boat tour. As you sail through the fisheries and anchorages, the ship’s captain will take you on an hour-long tour of the history of Chausey and its archipelago, not forgetting, of course, Ile aux Oiseaux and Ile aux Phoques.

Would you like to stay in Chausey and enjoy an exceptional setting?

If you want to make the most of this postcard setting, you can book into the island’s only charming hotel, the Hôtel du Fort et des Iles, surrounded bya beautiful garden with a breathtaking view of the entire archipelago. The town of Granville also offers self-catering cottages in the former presbytery and farmhouse, but you can just as easily opt to rent a holiday rental for a change of scenery and peace and quiet. Please note, however, that camping is prohibited.

Where to have lunch in Chausey?

There aren’t many places to have lunch in this little haven of peace, so the first solution is to go for a picnic. But if you haven’t packed a cooler or something to nibble on, don’t panic, there are 2 restaurants close to the port where you can enjoy a meal. The “Fort et des Iles” bar-hotel-restaurant welcomes you in an idyllic setting with a superb view of the sea and the archipelago, and suggests you sample simple, authentic seafood products (fish, shellfish such as Chausey lobster). The “Contre Vents et Marées” restaurant, close to the main port, offers original local cuisine and a heavenly view of nature. The bar “Le Sound” and its snack store also welcome you if you’re looking for refreshment during your stay on the island. There’s also a choice of galettes saucisses, French fries, sandwiches and sweet crêpes, which you can enjoy on tables in the shade.

Information

practical information

On the island, you can only get around on foot, and for everyone’s peace and quiet, our dog friends must be kept on a leash. >> Please note that there are no cash dispensers on the island.

Crossings to Chausey depart from Granville.

There is a large parking lot around the ferry terminal, but be sure to leave plenty of room for parking. You must arrive at the Vedettes Jolie France counter at the ferry terminal 30 minutes before departure.

You don’t need an identity card, as the Chausey archipelago is French.

We strongly advise you to book your crossing before coming to Granville.

So make life easier for yourself and book with Coutances Tourisme (in one of our 6 offices: Agon-Coutainville, Blainville-sur-mer, Coutances, Gavray-sur-sienne, Gouville-sur-Mer or Hauteville-sur-mer). You’ll receive an exchange voucher – at no extra charge.

Other sites and wonders

To discover around us!