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…).
Several fishing nets of various colors are stacked on the shore. In the background, numerous boats of different sizes can be seen sailing on a blue expanse of water. The sky is clear, and the landscape is serene.
Aerial view of an estuary with numerous islands and canals. The area is surrounded by land with buildings and roads. The sky is cloudy, and the water is in various shades of blue and green.
A large stone castle stands on a green hill above a sandy beach. Several people are visible on the beach, some sitting on the rocks and others walking along the shore. The castle has multiple windows and an imposing structure, with thick walls and towers. The sky is partly cloudy, and the atmosphere appears calm and peaceful.
