Chausey Islands from Granville: Boats, Beaches, Bliss 🌊

✔ Ferry from Granville to a peaceful, car-free island 🚤
✔ Wild islands, huge tides and proper switch-off energy 🏝️
✔ Ideal for families, couples, walkers and photographers 📷
✔ A day trip that genuinely feels like a holiday within your holiday

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First published: October 2025

Last Updated: January 2026

Looking for a unique day trip in Normandy from our gîte in Nicorps near Coutances? Set sail from Granville and discover the untamed beauty of the Chausey Islands — a protected archipelago made up of more than 360 islets revealed at low tide. This hidden gem of the Normandy coast is perfect for nature lovers, photographers, families, and anyone who occasionally fantasises about a beach without a queue.

This is the trip we quietly suggest when guests ask for something special that isn’t on every checklist. Not loud, not rushed, not curated for social media — just salt air, big skies and the slightly disorientating pleasure of realising you’ve forgotten what day it is.

🛥️ Getting to the Chausey Islands

Ferries to the Chausey Islands depart from the port of Granville, around 40 minutes from the gîte. The crossing takes about an hour and offers wide views over the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. Boats are operated by Vedettes Jolie France, with several departures daily from April to October. Booking ahead in summer and on weekends is not so much a suggestion as a survival tactic.

Arrive early in Granville to enjoy a coffee on the quay and watch the fishermen preparing their boats. Parking is straightforward near the ferry terminal, and ticket offices open about an hour before departure. Timetables depend on the tides, which is Chausey’s polite way of reminding you that it does not run on human schedules.

This is one of those days where staying in the Manche really pays off. You can leave Nicorps without stress, arrive early, park easily and start the day unhurried — which immediately puts you ahead of anyone who attempted this trip with a packed car, an alarm set for dawn and unrealistic optimism.

🏝️ What to See and Do on the Chausey Islands

The Grande Île of Chausey is car-free, peaceful, and quietly captivating. You’ll find a small year-round fishing village, a historic fort built by Vauban, a simple chapel, and miles of coastal paths leading to hidden coves and wide sandy beaches. The tides here are among the most dramatic in Europe — around 365 islets appear at low tide, shrinking to fewer than 50 at high tide, sometimes within the span of a long lunch.

Begin near the landing point at Port-Marie, where small boats rest in the harbour and island life proceeds at a pace best described as unhurried. From here, footpaths fan out naturally across the island, and getting lost is difficult unless you’re determined.

The Fort de Chausey sits above the village and offers wide views across the archipelago and back towards the mainland. Built for defence rather than decoration, it’s a reminder that even very peaceful places once had trust issues.

Further west, the lighthouse marks the edge of land before open sea. Reaching it feels satisfyingly remote, the sort of walk that makes you wonder why you don’t do this more often, before immediately remembering why.

Swimming is possible at high tide, while at low tide rock pools and shells appear across the shoreline. Birdwatchers may spot herons, oystercatchers and gulls, and with a little luck, grey seals resting on the rocks, looking entirely unimpressed by visitors.

The quietest beaches are often found along the eastern and southern edges of the island, where the mainland feels far away despite being only 14.4 km across open water. Perspective is funny like that.

🍽️ Where to Eat and Relax

Near the small port, a handful of cafés and one restaurant serve simple local favourites such as seafood, crêpes and cider. Many visitors prefer to bring their own picnic and eat overlooking the sea. Water, sunscreen and a light layer are all sensible additions, as shade is limited and the sun here has a habit of being stronger than expected.

The restaurant at the Hôtel du Fort et des Îles is well known for its sea views and freshly caught lobster, making it a popular lunch stop before the return crossing, especially for those who enjoy their meals with a side of mild envy from passing walkers.

That said, Chausey often rewards simplicity. A baguette, some cheese and a rock with a view can be surprisingly hard to improve upon.

📸 Practical Tips for Visiting Chausey

• No cars and no supermarkets — bring food, water and essentials with you.
• Wear sturdy shoes for rocky paths shaped by the tides.
• Check your return ferry time carefully, as water levels change quickly.
• Binoculars are useful for spotting birds and marine life.
• Mobile signal exists, but the island will not take it personally if you ignore your phone.

🌅 When to Visit the Chausey Islands

From May to September, Chausey enjoys long daylight hours and generally calm seas. July and August feel lively without becoming crowded, while spring and early autumn offer quieter conditions, strong light and striking tidal contrasts.

On particularly clear days, the views stretch far beyond the archipelago. From the mainland at Hauteville-sur-Mer — and occasionally even from Chausey itself — it is possible to spot Jersey on the horizon, which adds a subtle sense of scale and a reminder that you are standing in a very busy bit of sea.

🌍 Chausey in Context: Tides, Nature and Protection

The Chausey Islands form the largest archipelago in Europe, spread across nearly 40 square kilometres of sea. At low tide, hundreds of islets emerge; at high tide, only a fraction remain visible. The landscape is in constant motion, which means the island you arrived on is never quite the same one you leave.

Located around 14.4 km west of Granville, the archipelago sits directly within reach of Europe’s highest tides. Its long, low silhouette can often be seen from the mainland, stretched along the horizon like a reminder that nature was here first.

Chausey is a protected natural site and part of the Natura 2000 network. Its creeks, beaches, mudflats and foreshore support birdlife, shellfish, marine mammals and a fragile underwater meadow of eelgrass that acts as a nursery for fish and crustaceans. This is a car-free island in Normandy where the rules exist not to limit enjoyment, but to make sure there’s something left to enjoy next time.

Visitors are asked to stay on marked paths, keep dogs on leads, avoid disturbing nesting areas and respect seasonal restrictions on the outer islets. It’s all very reasonable, and surprisingly easy to do once you realise how little you actually need here.

♿ Boats, Sailing & Accessibility

Most visitors reach Chausey via scheduled ferries from Granville with Vedettes Jolie France, but the islands can also be accessed aboard traditional sailing vessels such as the Granvillaise, the Charles Marie or the Marité. From Granville harbour, it is also possible to hire sailboats, yachts or rigid inflatables, with or without a skipper.

Chausey is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities, though conditions vary with the tide. Disembarkation may take place at the slipway or the pontoon, and the number of steps changes depending on water levels. Manual wheelchairs are permitted, but electric wheelchairs are not suitable due to weight and access constraints. It is strongly recommended to contact Vedettes Jolie France in advance to discuss individual needs.

An accessible walking route is marked on the island map, making it easier to explore key areas while respecting the natural terrain.

🌊 Extend Your Day: Explore Granville

Before or after your island trip, Granville makes a very good re-entry point to the mainland. Wander the old town ramparts, visit the Christian Dior Museum or enjoy an ice cream by the harbour before heading back inland.

Granville is lively without being overwhelming — a useful quality after a day where the loudest sound may have been the tide.

🏡 Why This Day Works So Well from Our Gîte in the Manche

Chausey rewards a relaxed approach, and staying in the Manche makes that possible. From our gîte near Coutances, Granville is close enough for an easy start, yet evenings return to quiet countryside rather than busy quays.

There’s no need to move accommodation or chase the coast. You can plan the day around the tides, return inland for space and calm, and wake up ready for whatever comes next, ideally with fewer crowds and better sleep.

One thing Chausey does not offer is llamas. For that, you’ll need to come back to the gîte after your Chausey Islands day trip from Granville, where ours will be waiting. Just don’t forget the carrots 🥕.

Ready to explore Normandy?