Europe
France
Normandy
Basse-Normandie
Manche
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Things to Do in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Tatihou Island
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Tatihou Island

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Tatihou Island
4.5
Full view
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
23 within 3 miles
My Tasty
4
0.1 mi
La Bisquine
970
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Seafood • Healthy
Le Detour
259
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Grill
Le Chasse Maree
455
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European
Hotel de france Restaurant les Fuchsias
493
0.8 mi$$$$ • French • European • Contemporary
La Marina
290
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Seafood • European
Le Debarcadere
777
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Bar • European
Ponton G
49
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • French • Dining bars
L'entre Deux Tours
14
0.8 miSeafood
Le Bar a Huitres Coquillages et Crustaces
11
0.8 miSeafood
See all
Attractions
21 within 6 miles
Traversees de Tatihou
157
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Jardin Botanique
5
0.2 miGardens
La Chapelle des Marins
64
0.8 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Tour Vauban de La Hougue
159
1.2 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Musée Maritime De Tatihou
8
0.6 miMilitary Museums • Speciality Museums
Office de Tourisme de Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
43
0.8 miVisitor Centers
Tour Vauban De L'ile Tatihou
3
0.6 miHistoric Sites • Observation Decks & Towers
Les parcs à huitres
22
0.9 miNature & Wildlife Areas
Marché Hebdomadaire
1
0.8 miFlea & Street Markets • Farmers Markets
Eglise de Saint-Vaast
11
0.9 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
389 reviews
Excellent
227
Very good
131
Average
24
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Alexandra M
158 contributions
perfect one day trip
Aug 2020
choose a sunny day to walk on a low tide towards the island. You will discover a poetical salt marshes and stunning views over the coast. The fort and the museum are interesting for the title ones and for the grownups.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gillian A
Malmesbury, UK56 contributions
Well worth the trip
Aug 2014 • Couples
The boat ride over to the island is great fun. You have to book your tickets on the harbour front and they will tell you where the boat leaves from as this depends on the tide.
The island is great for walking, climb the tower as it is not too far up and the view is wonderful.
Don't miss the maritime museum which was well set out and very interesting.
Written August 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
endrju_74
Ipswich, UK4,851 contributions
Amphibious experience
Apr 2014 • Family
Tatihou is a small fortified island just of the coast in St-Vaast-la-Hougue town. When the tide is low you can walk acros the bay, but when tide rises - there's amphibious vehicle at a hand, to take you to the island. Unfortunately, biggest inconvienence here is that this boat/bus machine departures from the south tip of the marina, when tickets can only be bought form the office right across that marina, which could give you about 1 km round trip... When we were there boats were departuring every hour, with last sailing at 16:00. Crossing takes around 10 minutes, then boat takes people returning to the main land straight ahead. But... last boat from the island is 18:00, which means at least twice in the evening the boat goes out empty... When on island most visitors go straight to Tour Vauban (Tower of Vauban), which has some fantastic views over the island and over the town of St Vaast. You can also see the other fortifications of La Hougue on the other side of the bay. The Tower is surrounded by the remains of the fortress. But closer to the little port are buildings of the former barracks, this days a museum. This part is largely overlooked by visitors, but is definitelly worth a visit. So, with boats running every hour you haven't got enough time to browse island in just one hour, but two hours might be a bit too long... This forifications are part of Unesco's Fortifications of Vauban site.
Written April 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Francesca63
8 contributions
Beautiful visit
Jul 2019 • Friends
Excellent day which started with a ride on the amphibious boat. Advisable to get tickets ahead so no need to queue esp on weekends or popular dates.
The fortress is impressive and when you reach the top the sight is beautiful esp with the seagulls and their babies.
The walk in the gardens was excellent. Wish however that they had the names for all the different plants and trees.
Written August 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alexander L
Richmond-upon-Thames, UK2,808 contributions
Simply stunning
May 2018 • Family
The best way to get to the Ile Tatihou is by the boat/bus hybrid vehicle. We went in the morning, when the tide was high, by it as a boat. We were a party of five adults and three infants of 6 and 7.

The island is small but the walk to the restaurant was about half an hour. The children played in the fortifications of the Vauban Fort and we had a good meal outside the distinguished house where, presumably, the governor lived.

The meal was good and we when walked around the fort and had a delightful time visiting another fort off shore which could be reached at low tide.

On our was back we stopped at the botanic gardens and had a look round. As the tide was low we returned to the mainland on foot through the extensive oyster beds.

A great day out in good weather
Written June 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Guy P
Pagham, UK155 contributions
Sunny Tatihou
Apr 2017 • Couples
Tatihou is a beautiful island a very short trip away from Saint Vaast la Hougue. To get there you take the very quirky/French amphibious ferry which in itself is an experience particularly if the water is low. Alternatively you can walk across the causeway at low tide, but follow the crowd as you don't want to get caught halfway with the tide coming in - it moves very quickly!!
On the island there is a terrific museum with lots of interesting exhibits for children and adults alike. At the far end of the island is a pretty castle and bird sanctuary and a good cafe/restaurant.
At low tide there are a wealth of rock pools to explore and many an oyster pot to see!!
A really great visit!! I always go there whenever in Saint Vaast.
Written April 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ian M
Ashbourne, UK602 contributions
Interesting and Varied Half Day
Jun 2016 • Friends
We were fortunate to arrive whilst the tide was in, and travelled to and back on the purpose built amphibious craft, which takes a few minutes. At low tide it is possible to walk across.

There's lots to see on the island, the historic tower, which can be climbed via steep stairs, giving extensive views, plus gulls nesting on the top whilst we were there. It is also well worth setting an hour aside for the boat museum too.

For nature lovers there is an extensive reserve area, which gave some interesting bird sightings, and also sub tropical gardens.

There is a cafeteria/restaurant which is open in peak season. It's worth checking if it's open before visiting. Having said that it's a great place to have a picnic.

A lovely varied half day, which could easily be stretched to a leisurely day.
Written June 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike M
Tracy, CA956 contributions
Interesting and pretty island
Jul 2015 • Family
This is well worth the trip - which is by amphibious watercraft (wheels when the tide is out, floats when the tide is in). The island itself holds many historical sites and it is a fairly easy walk. From an old fort to the laboratory to the retreat center, it peaks your interest. But, the schedule of the boat was not kept the day we were there. We had to wait an extra 45 minutes at the dock to return. This was a real inconvenience as we had to be somewhere. This may have been extraordinary, but do check the schedule. No fee for the island, but there is a fee for the boat. (You can walk it t low tide...)
Written July 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Roger P
Deal, UK178 contributions
A unique experience
Aug 2014 • Friends
We have been coming to the music festival for several years and we never tire of the walk/paddle to the island. Seats in the tent are not allocated - so the earlier you arrive the better seat you get ... but the wetter you get on the way over. You can buy a beer at the concert venue but, otherwise, take everything with you.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicola1959
Sway, UK103 contributions
Probably a bit late in the season (September) to appreciate fully.
Sep 2019
Visited on a blustery day in mid September. The flora not at their best as late in the season - our mistake. Nevertheless, worth a visit if you are a keen gardener. Boat trip was enjoyable.
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Tatihou Island (Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Tatihou Island