The Chausey Islands: what to do in this little paradise?

The Chausey Islands: the biggest archipelago in Europe

There are places where time stands still, and Chausey is one of those. In this island paradise, there are no cars, just little cottages connected by rocky paths, and landscapes sculpted by the tides and the Gulf Stream.

Chausey is the biggest archipelago in Europe, with 365 islets at low tide and 52 at high tide. A wonderfully wild and authentic place, Chausey welcomes visitors from the mainland and offers them an escape from their everyday lives.

Enjoy the beaches in Chausey

With transparent waters and fine white sand, even the most reluctant people will want to dive straight in! Chausey has six beaches, including three big ones that are perfect for bathing:

Head off to explore the main island of Chausey on foot

The main island of Chausey is 1 500 m long and 500 m wide and has a rich variety of landscapes. In the centre, you’ll find fields and hedgerows, in the south, beaches that look like the Caribbean, and at the tip of the island, maritime pines and succulent plants typical of the Mediterranean.

You’ll discover these landscapes as you walk around the coastal path, a 5 km trail suited to all levels.

On the way, you’ll see:

• The Sound: the natural channel next to the main island, into which the slipways plunge;
• The chapel, built in 1850 and illuminated by gorgeous stained glass windows;
• Les Blainvillais hamlet, with its fishermen’s cottages;
• The semaphore, built on the highest point, with a 360 degree view of the archipelago;
• Château Renault, built in 1559, a private property that you can’t visit;
• The lighthouse, on the southern tip, standing at 39 m high;
• The fort, built under Napoleon III, which held 300 German and Austrian prisoners during WW1, and a small German garrison during WW2.

During your walk, take a dip at Port-Marie beach, admire the cormorants and red-breasted mergansers, take a photo of Marin Marie’s house, lose yourself on the little paths, and look for the elephant (the most famous rock on the island).

More information about the course

A fragile ecosystem that must be protected

Chausey is protected by Natura 2000 and the French Coastal Protection Agency. More than 200 bird species regularly visit the archipelago. Some, like the red-breasted merganser, have chosen Chausey as their only breeding ground in France. To avoid disturbing the nests, the islets are only accessible from 15 July to 30 September.

As for plants, many rare species grow in Chausey, including blue thistle, sea beet, bloody geranium and Gallic pink, and should under no circumstances be picked.

Visit the archipelago by boat or kayak