Person walking along a canal with a tower in the backgroundA person is walking along a dirt path next to a canal. The canal is surrounded by vegetation and rocks. In the background, there is a stone tower. The sky is partly cloudy with areas of blue sky visible.
©A peaceful walk along a canal lined with greenery.|Maxime Coquard Pour Best Jobers Latitude Manche
Unmissable in La Manche

Saint-Vaast la Hougue and Tatihou Island

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From Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to Tatihou: a kilometer of sea!

With an amphibious boat (on the waves or on the foreshore), cross from the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue to Tatihou Island in 10 minutes to discover its treasures. Home port of the island, Saint-Vaast also offers beautiful discoveries.

The crossing can also be done on foot for the most courageous, but only at low tide when Tatihou becomes an island! The tidal coefficient must be around 60 and it takes an average of 25 minutes to walk (depending on your speed).

A group of seagulls on a dock near the waterA group of seagulls is standing on a concrete dock near the water. Some seagulls are perched on the edge of the dock, while others are walking or standing near the water. In the background, there are rocks and buildings, as well as other seagulls flying or perched on structures.
©Seagulls gather on the dock, enjoying the view of the water.|Arnaud Guérin-Thierry Bassey-Estelle Hertault-CDT50
Two people walking through a ruined archway towards a distant towerTwo people are walking through a large ruined archway. The ground is covered with gravel and the stone walls show signs of aging. In the distance, a tower stands against a clear sky.
©Exploring the remnants of the past in a historic setting.|Maxime Coquard
A traveler sitting on a rock facing a stone castleA traveler is sitting on a rock, facing away, in front of a stone castle. The castle, circular in shape, has a central tower and thick walls. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.
©A traveler enjoys the view of a stone castle from a rock.|Maxime Coquard
Three hikers with backpacks looking at a mapThree individuals with backpacks are standing on a dirt path near a body of water. They appear to be studying a map or plan. The surrounding landscape is lush and green, with houses visible in the distance. The sky is partly cloudy.
©Three hikers with backpacks looking at a map by the water.|Arnaud Guérin-Thierry Bassey-Estelle Hertault-CDT50
    Person walking on a beach towards a stone castleA person is walking on a pebble and sand beach towards a stone castle in the background. The sky is clear with a few clouds, and the sea is calm. The castle has a central tower and thick walls, characteristic of medieval architecture.
    ©A solitary walk towards a historic castle by the sea.|Maxime Coquard

      Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue has been elected favorite village of the French

      Saint-Vaast la Hougue is one of the most visited towns in Normandy, especially since Stéphane Bern and his show crowned it “favorite village of the French” in 2019.

      Home to a marina, fishing is one of the main activities with also the production of Norman oysters. One can as well visit the village, the sailors’ chapel or the Vauban towers of La Hougue built in the 17th century and registered on the list of World Heritage of UNESCO since 2008.

      Also offering a wide range of walks, along the dikes or the GR223, the landscapes are all as diverse as they are striking! At the end of the day, there is nothing like a culinary discovery by tasting the local products!

      Did you know? Origin of the name Tatihou

      The Island of Tatihou owes its name to the Viking period. It is the combination of “Hou” meaning land surrounded by water and “Tat” which is a proper name also meaning island surrounded by the sea.

      Tatihou, the charming island in the northeastern Cotentin

      Only one kilometer from the port of Saint Vaast, the island of Tatihou is full of incredible sites not to be missed. It owes its name to the Vikings of the Normandy coast in the 9th century. Spread over nearly 28 hectares, the key words are nature and history. You can find seabirds in particular thanks to the ornithological reserve, behind the Vauban tower.

      The old lazaretto, dating from 1723, was transformed into a maritime museum after having been used to prevent the spread of the plague. You can visit a botanical garden, a naval carpentry workshop and also find buildings intended for the accommodation of tourists.

      Isolated coastal fortress with a yellow roof and stone wallsAn isolated coastal fortress with a yellow roof and stone walls stands on a small peninsula. Blue water surrounds the fortress, and trees are visible in the background. The sky is clear and sunny.
      ©A solitary coastal fortress stands on a small peninsula, surrounded by blue water.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
        Water tower near the coast with rocks and calm waterA coastal view with a water tower in the background. Rocks are visible in the foreground, and the water is calm. The sky is partially cloudy, with light reflections on the water.
        ©A peaceful coastal view with a water tower in the background.|Arnaud Guérin-Thierry Bassey-Estelle Hertault-CDT50

          The must-sees on your visit to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou

          • The Vauban towers
          • The marina
          • The island of Tatihou
          • The sailors’ chapel
          • GR223
          • The botanical garden
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          ©Flags of different countries proudly waving in the wind.|Estelle Hertault Cdt50
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