Just a few miles from the Cotentin Peninsula, the Norman islands are the perfect place to get away from it all. From the Chausey Archipelago in the west to Tatihou Island in the east, via Jersey and Guernsey, the call of the open sea offers a real break from everyday life, in total harmony with unspoilt nature.
Chausey, the beautiful archipelago
At low tide, just 17 km from Granville, Chausey reveals 365 islets. On the Grande Ile: a hotel, gîtes, white sandy beaches, a chapel, a fishing village, the Marin Marie house and the lighthouse. You won’t leave the island without seeing the elephant, the castle of Renault and the fort. And you won’t leave the archipelago without wanting to come back!
Tatihou, the wild one
Just opposite the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Tatihou protects seabirds – a three-hectare bird sanctuary – and attracts lovers of history, nature and the environment. You can cross the island by amphibious boat or on foot in rubber boots, depending on the tide. The Vauban Tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The maritime museum conserves furniture from the wrecks of the famous battle of La Hougue (1692). Tatihou boasts three gardens covering almost seven hectares.
The Channel Islands
Sark, Herm and Alderney
Victor Hugo said of Sark: ‘It is a kind of fairy castle, full of wonders’. It seems to have remained unchanged since then. An island of breathtaking beauty, with no cars on the roads, where you can walk, cycle or ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
In good weather, Herm is reminiscent of the idyllic beaches of the Caribbean. Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, this beautiful island is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
The narrow streets of Sainte-Anne with their pastel-coloured houses are simply charming. Alderney offers a wide range of activities, including angling, tennis, horse-riding and a 9-hole golf course overlooking the French coast.
Jersey
A Crown dependency of the United Kingdom, Jersey, nicknamed the Isle of Flowers, is the largest of the Channel Islands. Its beaches, cliff-top walks, inland valleys and historic castles make this island, shaped by some of the world’s most impressive tides, an exciting destination.
Guernesey
Guernsey, Jersey’s little sister, promises a timeless holiday. Trails, cottages, beaches, English gardens, ramparts, castles, manor houses, museums… and the famous Hauteville House, home of Victor Hugo’s exile! The island is full of charm and mystery.
Useful information
From the west and east coasts of the Cotentin Peninsula, a number of sea links offer visitors a choice of options: speedboats, sailing boats and even old sailing ships. It’s not uncommon to see dolphins on the way to the Chausey Archipelago, Tatihou Island, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, or Les Ecréhous and Les Minquiers, two small archipelagos of islands and rocks. The Iles de Saint-Marcouf, two small uninhabited islands off the coast of Normandy, are currently being restored.