Discover La Manche

Tatihou Island

Natural and wild

Looking for a change of scenery? Then come and discover Ile Tatihou: a dream island just a stone’s throw from home!

Situated on the east coast of the Cotentin peninsula, off the coast of the little port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and very close to Barfleur, Ile Tatihou is a favourite haunt of seabirds, history buffs and nature and environment enthusiasts.

This small 28-hectare piece of land, dominated by the Vauban Tower and its fortifications, is transformed into a peninsula at low tide.

First and foremost: Getting to the island

There are two ways to reach the island: take the amphibious boat“Le Tatihou II”, which sails at high tide and rolls at low tide, winding its way through the oyster beds. This strange craft is capable of rolling along the seabed!

Another option is to reach the island on foot at low tide, provided the tidal range is above 70. Make sure you bring seawater-resistant footwear and check the tide times!

But be warned: the number of visitors is limited to 500 per day.

Tatihou, an ornithological paradise.
The island is home to a 3-hectare ornithological reserve where more than 150 different species of birds can be observed throughout the year.These include herring gulls, Belon shelducks, oystercatchers, little egrets, whistling ducks and many more…
The reserve also serves as a wintering area or simply a migration stopover for non-marine birds.
Today, Tatihou has become an essential part of Normandy’s heritage, a place of remembrance and discovery. It bears witness to 300 years of history.
The island is a treasure trove not to be missed. Initially the scene of the Battle of La Hougue in 1662, it was then used by sailors in quarantine from 1772 to 1860. Then, at the end of the ^19th century, it was one of the first maritime stations for the Museum of Natural History. It was then used as a rest home for children and teenagers in poor health (aérium) and later became a re-education centre for difficult teenagers.

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Today you can discover :

The Vauban Tower, its fort and fortifications, jewels of coastal military architecture. The Tower was built in 1694 following the Battle of Barfleur-La Hougue, to the designs of the engineer Vauban. The tower, 20 metres in diameter and 21 metres high, offers a magnificent view of the island and coastline. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 7 July 2008.

The Musée Maritime, which opened in 1992, houses archaeological finds from the wrecks of the Battle of La Hougue. The museum also houses collections presenting the island, the secrets of its formation and its flora and fauna. Whether natural or historical, all the island’s riches are on display in the museum’s 6 areas. Several temporary exhibitions are held each year.

The Jardins Maritimes, a site protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral, offers a wide range of discoveries for visitors who love nature and history.

There are 3 different gardens. The courtyards and garden of the lazaret feature beds of coastal plants. The Jardin d’Acclimatation (acclimatisation garden) features unexpected vegetation from different parts of the world. The^3rd garden, the largest, is sheltered by walls and features species endemic to the English Channel, leaving plenty of room to wander.

Tatihou Island is also renowned for its offshore music festival , “Les traversées de Tatihou”, an off-the-beaten-track event combining world music and hiking. During the high tides in August, walk to this little piece of land and fill up on iodine, sea spray and wandering music. An unusual experience in tune with the tides.

Due to the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Departmental Council has decided to cancel theLes Traversées de Tatihou festival, but we look forward to seeing you from 17 to 25 August 2021 for the ^26th edition!

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Information

Practical info

To protect the natural environment, access to the island is limited to 500 visitors per day.

So don’t forget to book your crossing, either online on the website or at the Tatihou ticket office, quai Vauban – 50550 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
Tel: 02 14 29 03 30

Dogs are strictly forbidden on the island, even if kept on a lead or carried in a bag.

To find out more about the activities of the Tatihou Museum, visit their website

Book online!

The little extra :

If you’d like to stay on the island on a half-board or full-board basis, it’s possible!

Spend a night or more away from the mainland, in buildings steeped in history, surrounded by lush vegetation.

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