Imagine this: you’re standing at the edge of mainland Normandy, gazing out over a vast, sandy expanse. The sea has receded, revealing the path to Île Tatihou, inviting the adventurous mudflat hiker. As you make your way across the exposed seabed, you pass by oyster farms and feel the fresh sea breeze on your face. This unique experience leads you to a hidden gem of Normandy: Île Tatihou.
This tidal island offers not only a remarkable walk but also a rich historical heritage and breathtaking natural beauty. From the centuries-old Tour Vauban to the lush botanical gardens, the island is a treasure trove of discoveries. Read on to learn how you can explore this unique destination in Normandy!
Getting to Île Tatihou: Mudflat Hiking or Amphibious Boat?
Île Tatihou is located in Normandy, opposite the picturesque village of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, on the east coast of the Cotentin Peninsula. This tidal island is a lesser-known counterpart to Normandy’s more famous tidal island, Le Mont-Saint-Michel.
A tidal island like Île Tatihou is surrounded by water at high tide and accessible on foot at low tide. The coast between the island and the shore becomes dry, allowing access. You can reach the island in two ways: walking during low tide or taking the amphibious boat.
While a ride on an amphibious vehicle is quite fun, especially as it drives and sails, we find mudflat hiking to be the real charm of a tidal island. Walking to Île Tatihou over the exposed seabed is a unique experience. You walk through bustling oyster farms, where you’ll see tractors and rows of nets where oysters grow. What was once a smooth sea surface now looks like farmland!
Walking to the island is also free. If you prefer to take the amphibious boat, you can buy tickets at the tourist office. A ticket for the amphibious boat also grants you access to the maritime museum on the island, where you can learn more about the history and nature of Tatihou.
Tip: Ask at the Tourist Office in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue about the time window for walking to the island. Online tide information is available, but it only shows when the water is at its lowest, not the earliest time you can start walking.
Extra tip: Don’t go barefoot, as there are many pebbles and stones on the seabed, making walking uncomfortable. Sturdy, high boots or water shoes are a better idea. We also had to wade through ankle-deep water at times, so be prepared for that.
Unique Island Hotel on Tatihou Island
Did you know you can also stay overnight on Île Tatihou? Les Maisons de Tatihou offers charming accommodations in the island’s historic buildings. Far from the hustle and bustle, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility and natural beauty of Île Tatihou.
The hotel offers 26 rooms spread over three buildings, as well as a hostel with two additional buildings. They are beautifully located on the island, right next to the stunning gardens. During your stay, you can experience the island’s serenity without the day-trippers. There is an on-site restaurant, Le Carré, where you can enjoy dinner.
The History of Île Tatihou
Île Tatihou’s history stretches back to the seventeenth century. The island gained prominence during the Battle of La Hougue in 1692, a naval clash between the English and French fleets. Following this battle, the construction of the Vauban Tower, designed by the renowned military engineer Vauban, was completed in 1694. This tower was part of a defensive line to protect the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue from enemy attacks.
In the eighteenth century, Île Tatihou also served as a quarantine site during the plague outbreak of 1720. The island housed a lazaretto where plague victims were isolated to prevent the disease from spreading. In the nineteenth century, the island was further fortified with bastions and defensive works, enhancing its military significance.
Île Tatihou transformed into a center for nature conservation and maritime heritage in the twentieth century. In 1992, three hundred years after the Battle of La Hougue, the island was opened to the public. Today, visitors can enjoy the maritime museum, an ornithological reserve, and beautiful gardens. The island, with its historic fortifications, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts many tourists each year.
Things to Do on Tatihou Island
#1 Mudflat Hiking During Low Tide
There are many islands in Normandy and France, but what makes Île Tatihou special is that it’s a tidal island. One of the most fun activities here is the unique walk across the seabed to the island.
When we arrived, there was still an expanse of sea between us and Tatihou. But we knew this was temporary. We had researched the tides for that day and confirmed with the Tourist Office when the sea would recede. Gradually, we watched the sea pull back, revealing the oyster farms and seabed. Just before it was dry enough to walk across, the tractors headed out to the farms to start their work.
Soon, we set foot on the seabed and walked to Tatihou. The crossing usually takes about 35 minutes. We planned to carry our little children—one and three years old—in a sling. But the toddler eagerly pulled on her boots and walked most of the way herself. This meant our journey took a bit longer than 35 minutes, but it was all the more enjoyable.
We saw the amphibious boat pass by a few times. The tractors moved among the oyster farms, and if we looked closely, we could see the oysters in their setups. In the middle, the water never fully recedes, leaving a shallow pool. We rolled up our pants and skirts, lifted our toddler, and waded through ankle-deep water. It was a unique experience, which we repeated on the return trip!
#2 Tour Vauban de Tatihou
The icon of Tatihou is the striking tower you can see clearly from the mainland. The Tour Vauban de Tatihou was built in 1694 during wartime as a strategic defense tower. Designed by the renowned military engineer Vauban, the tower was constructed to protect the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue from enemy attacks after the French defeat in the Battle of La Hougue in 1692.
The tower has a distinctive conical shape with a base diameter of twenty-six meters and walls 3.6 meters thick. The design included various defensive mechanisms such as cannon embrasures, an artillery platform with firing slits, and a dry moat with a drawbridge. The tower was later reinforced with bastions and a flooding moat.
The Tour Vauban de Tatihou is part of a series of defenses designed by Vauban and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 as part of the “Fortifications of Vauban”. The tower and the surrounding fort have been open to the public since 1992.
#3 Fort de Tatihou
The Fort de Tatihou, like the Tour Vauban, was built in the eighteenth century as part of an extensive defense system designed by the renowned military engineer Vauban.
The fort served as a crucial defense work to protect the strategic port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. It features robust stone walls, bastions, and a moat that fills with water at high tide, making it an impressive defensive structure.
The fort consists of multiple defensive layers, including a main bastion with artillery platforms and a lower defensive wall with firing slits. Over time, the fort has served various functions, including military defense and quarantine during epidemics. Today, it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Fortifications of Vauban” and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can explore the fort and enjoy its historical architecture and stunning coastal views.
#4 Fort de L’îlet
Fort de l’Îlet is a hidden gem, perched on a small island right next to Île Tatihou. Although it’s not as well-known, this fort played a crucial role in defending the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. Built in the eighteenth century and later modernized, it even served as a prison at one point, a fact still evident in its austere atmosphere.
What sets Fort de l’Îlet apart is its unique location on a tiny island that becomes accessible at low tide. With its sturdy stone walls, the fort offers breathtaking views of the nearby Vauban Tower on Tatihou.
#5 Jardin de Tatihou
The Jardin de Tatihou on Île Tatihou is a haven for plant lovers, offering a unique botanical experience through its multiple themed gardens. Designed to boost the island’s biodiversity, these gardens are a key part of the nature conservation project by the Conservatoire du Littoral. The Jardin de Tatihou is divided into three sections: the Jardin des Découvertes, the Grand Jardin Maritime, and the Jardin d’Acclimatation.
The Jardin des Découvertes is an 800-square-meter botanical garden created in 1994. It replicates a coastal landscape with salt marshes, dunes, and rocks. The Grand Jardin Maritime, covering three hectares, showcases the native plants of the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea. It includes various ecosystems such as dunes, marshes, and heathlands. The Jardin d’Acclimatation is a lush garden filled with exotic plants from the southern hemisphere, protected from the salty sea air by the walls of the old lazaretto. Here, you can find succulents, aloes, and palm trees.
The gardens are open to the public for free.
#6 Musée Maritime de l’Ile Tatihou
The Musée Maritime de l’Île Tatihou, opened in 1992 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Battle of La Hougue, is a must-visit. The museum’s collection includes fascinating archaeological finds from shipwrecks of the 1692 battle. It also features exhibits on the ethnology and history of coastal life in Basse-Normandie and the region’s biodiversity.
Housed in part of the old lazaretto from 1720, the museum has several exhibition halls showcasing artifacts like shoes, crockery, blocks, and cannons from the seventeenth century. Visitors can also enjoy maritime artworks and models of historic ships.
The museum is open from late March to early November, and entry is included with your boat ticket to the island.
#7 Les Maisons de Tatihou: A Unique Island Hotel
Les Maisons de Tatihou offers a rare chance to stay overnight on Île Tatihou. These charming accommodations, housed in historic buildings, provide an authentic and tranquil experience far from the hustle and bustle. The complex features 26 rooms spread across three buildings, along with a hostel comprising two additional buildings.
The rooms at Les Maisons de Tatihou are comfortably furnished and boast views of the island’s beautiful gardens. During your stay, you can relish the peace and quiet, without the daytime crowds. For meals, head to the on-site restaurant, Le Carré, which is renowned for its fresh dishes made with local ingredients. Dining at Le Carré is a culinary treat that perfectly complements your stay on Île Tatihou.
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