Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou Island

de fr

A short stroll around the charming port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. Crossing to Tatihou Island and visit to Vauban's fortifications. Although less popular than the neighbouring departments of Brittany, the English Channel offers equally wonderful landscapes that are less populated but wild and varied. If you are in the area, don't hesitate to discover this region, especially its marshes and the headlands and cliffs of the Cotentin Peninsula.

Details

n°36048
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.64 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 30 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 30 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 46 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 ft
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Photos

Tatihou Island
Amphibious boat
Amphibious boat for Tatihou Island
Oyster beds

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.

(S/E) Head back towards the village and take Rue de la Verrue. When you reach Place de la République, carry on straight ahead towards Place De Gaulle. Cross it and take Rue de la Vieille Église, keeping slightly to the right. You’ll arrive at the junction with Place du Général Leclerc.

(1) Head to the Chapelle des Marins and take the opportunity to visit it.
Turn right onto Route de la Hougue and follow the coastline to reach a designated area near the sports grounds.

(2) Carry on until you reach the Vauban fortifications and their tower.

(3) Retrace your steps and return to the original junction at Place du Général Leclerc.

(1) Continue straight ahead to walk round the harbour, which is lined with charming little houses. Head to the harbour car park (S/E).

(S/E) Continue on the other side of the harbour and head for the jetty. Board the ferry for a 10-minute crossing to Tatihou Island.

(5) Stop off here at the maritime museum, situated not far from the jetty. Then continue along the shore to reach the Vauban Tower.

(6) Then follow the same route back to the car park at the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 16 ft - Car park at the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
  2. 1 : mi 0.48 - alt. 16 ft - Sailors’ Chapel
  3. 2 : mi 1.23 - alt. 16 ft - Developed area
  4. 3 : mi 1.92 - alt. 23 ft - Fort Vauban
  5. 4 : mi 4.06 - alt. 16 ft - Saint-Vaast jetty
  6. 5 : mi 4.6 - alt. 3 ft - Tatihou Jetty
  7. 6 : mi 5.28 - alt. 13 ft - Vauban Tower
  8. S/E : mi 6.64 - alt. 16 ft - Car park at the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue

Notes

For more information, visit
Depending on the tidal coefficients, it’s possible to walk across to the island right through the oyster beds – it’s really lovely. In this case, the route is slightly different, as you’ll need to head to the beach right next to the car park (Rue de Réville) to start the crossing, rather than going to the harbour.
You might then come across the strange boat on tyres, which you can take back on your return journey (check in advance for a return ticket). The reverse is, in fact, entirely possible.
To do this, plan your day around the tide times and make the most of the high tidal ranges.
Finally, as the landscape is very different between high and low tide, try to be there at both times if possible – it’s magical!

Worth a visit

(6) Vauban Tower: enjoy the view towards the little island opposite, a birdwatcher’s paradise, which is a bird sanctuary but which I don’t think it’s possible to visit.
A few kilometres away is Barfleur, a superb little fishing port with its church.
Further on is the Gatteville Lighthouse, the second-tallest lighthouse in Europe at nearly 75 metres, which you can climb to enjoy a breathtaking 360° view. An absolute must-do if you’re not afraid of climbing the 365 steps or looking out of one of its 52 windows. Part of Jean-Jacques Beinex’s film *Diva* was shot there in 1980.
The Cap Lévi lighthouse, a rather wild spot.
Much further away, on the other side, is Cap de La Hague (Goury), Port Racine (the smallest port in France), the wild and lush Baie d’Ecalgrain (a superb beach at low tide surrounded by moorland, heather and gorse), the Nez de Jobourg (dizzying cliffs) and – I’ll stop there for today – the Barneville-Carteret lighthouse on a rocky hill offering a superb view over the Hatainville dunes.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 27 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
perronnerie jean paul
perronnerie jean paul

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

TATIHOU Island is a paradise waiting to be discovered; as soon as you step off the boat, you’re greeted by a guide who knows the island like the back of her hand – many thanks to her

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User 27125612

Thank you

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michel tout court
michel tout court
• Edited:

Hello,
If nothing has changed since 2024, crossing at low tide on foot or by bike presented no difficulty. A good blast of water will be needed to wash the salt off the bike!

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User 27125612

Hello,
We’re going on a cycling trip this summer and are planning to cross at low tide so we can stay at a hotel on the island.
Could you let us know if the ground in the oyster beds is firm enough to cycle across? Or is the sand still very wet and will we sink into it?
Thank you in advance for your advice, and happy cycling to all

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Certainly, but if you leave early, at low tide you'll be safe from the tourists arriving by boat

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User 22416305

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

TATIHOU ISLAND IS PARISH SPECIFIC TO BRITTAIN, THE REST IS NOT

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michel tout court
michel tout court

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After arriving on foot at 8:45 a.m., the island was deserted and treated us to a concert of seagulls, a visit to a beautiful museum and the fort, which has a wonderful exhibition on the creation of the English Channel and the interaction between the sea, the land and humans. We returned by boat to finish the hike to La Hougue

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Jairaison
Jairaison

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Don't miss a visit to Tatihou. Make sure you check the tide times for getting to Tatihou and the boat timetable. Given the tide times, we made the return trip by boat
to get to Tatihou, and the ticket price included admission to the museum. It was amusing to see this boat sailing and/or rolling on tyres!

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Agnès D
Agnès D

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant trip.
Please note: remember to book the boat.
It is a shame that the gardens on the island are not very well maintained.... Interesting tour.

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charlesmartel
charlesmartel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, easy walk, ideal as a complement to another hike.

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petitlotus
petitlotus

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a very interesting island that can easily be visited in half a day. Boat crossing must be booked in advance
i highly recommend it

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eljoouri
eljoouri

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy (by boat) and interesting hike between visiting Tatihou Island and Fort de la Hougue. Beautiful views everywhere.

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FC44
FC44

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk that allows you to visit Saint-Vaast and offers lovely views of both the Fort de la Hougue and Tatihou. We didn't go to Tatihou Island as there were no boats at this time of year and we didn't have time for a return trip at low tide. The Hougue fort was also closed, but we walked around it (well, my partner did... it was very windy and the narrow parapet at the tip made me feel dizzy, so I turned back...). Apart from that, it's a very pleasant village with a pretty harbour in the sunshine!

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Ghundalinu
Ghundalinu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk. Ideal for a day trip, for example, with a walk there and a return trip by boat. The museum is worth visiting after the walk. Restaurant on site.

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spinoza2009
spinoza2009

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike. Don't forget to bring a snack so you can enjoy the view while you eat.

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