A trip to the Chausey Islands:

ferry, accommodation and restaurant suggestions
Photo
Photo, © Hello Travelers

How do you get to the Chausey Islands? What restaurants and accommodation are available on the main island?

Take the boat from Granville: set sail to this island paradise on a ferry, a yacht or a traditional sailing boat.

When you get there, tuck into a seafood platter with a view of the archipelago, then stay overnight for a unique island experience. When to go, where to eat, and where to stay: we tell you everything you need to know.

How to get to the Chausey Islands?

There are several ways to get to these islands located just 17 km from Granville, so that you can enjoy all the activities available in Chausey.

By ferry:

the quickest way

All year round from Granville, you can board one of the ferries run by the Jolie France shipping company. The crossing takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on the weather conditions.

If you’re lucky, during the crossing you might see a pod of dolphins or some grey seals resting on the rocks. Don’t forget your camera!

Arrive 45 minutes ahead of departure to collect your boarding passes from the ticket office in the ferry terminal.

You can park free of charge in the car park next to the Granville ferry terminal.

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Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

On a yacht:

the most customised way

For a day trip or a few days, Franck, the skipper, invites you on board his Gib’Sea 126. According to your specifications, he can take you to one of the fine sandy beaches of the archipelago, drop anchor in an isolated bay, take you for a foodie walk (local products guaranteed!) or a fishing trip.

With Franck, you’ll get not just a crossing to this island paradise, but a real adventure.

You can also sleep on the Mangrove, at anchor, and admire the sunset from the deck, then enjoy a breakfast with the ultimate sea view.

Voidie Voile Croisières

Photo
Photo, © Captain Yvon

On a traditional sailing ship:

the most unusual way

Weigh anchor, hoist the sails and cast off on the last French cod fishing ship, heading for the Chausey archipelago! A day on board the Marité is the perfect way to enjoy an unforgettable experience.

You’ll leave Granville harbour in the morning and drop anchor in Chausey at lunchtime. After a picnic on board, you’ll be taken by RIB to one of the islets of the archipelago. At the end of the day, you’ll head back to Granville, with the opportunity to participate in the different tasks on board.

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Photo
Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

Others traditionnal sailing boats get to Chausey Islands:

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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud
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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

A restaurant, a beach shack, a grocery shop: where to eat in Chausey?

A seafood platter in a restaurant

with a view of the archipelago

If you didn’t bring a picnic, head to La Table des Iles. You can sit on the terrace, in the garden or in the panoramic dining room, and sample some delicious seafood, fish or blue lobster with a stunning sea view.

The restaurant is open from April to October (booking is advisable).

La Table des îles

Photo
Photo, © Hôtel du Fort et des Iles

Seafood in the garden

In July and August, the Cabane de l’Ecailler is a lovely spot for a bite to eat, without prior booking, in the garden of the Hôtel du Fort. The chef at this beach shack serves up fresh local products cooked right in front of you: fried whitebait, Chausey lobster, plancha mussels, whelks and lots more tasty treats!

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Photo, © Cabane de l'écailler

The shops in Chausey

You’ll find a grocery store/bakery that’s open from April to October, and is the only shop on the island. If you’re thirsty, there’s a drinking water point on the main island.

Photo
Photo, © Best Jobers

Economic activity in Chausey centres around tourism, but also fishing, especially for lobsters, prawns and bass. Shellfish farmers from the mainland also produce mussels and oysters there. You can try some of this local seafood at the Hôtel du Fort restaurant.

Where to stay on the main island in Chausey?

hotel, holiday cottages, rentals

Staying in the evening, enjoying the quiet once the ferries have departed, watching the sun set over the Sound: an overnight stay in Chausey is a unique experience.

There are three types of accommodation for your stay in Chausey: a room at the Hôtel du Fort et des Iles, an apartment in the old farm, or a communal holiday cottage in the old presbytery.

Stay in the only hotel in Chausey

Stay in one of the eight rooms at the Hôtel du Fort et des Iles, decorated to make you feel like you’re inside a ship’s cabin. Open from April to October.

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Photo
Photo, © Hôtel du Fort et des Iles

Stay in the old farm

Les Gîtes de la Ferme, in the middle of the island, has 18 apartments in old buildings that have been carefully restored.

Available for booking all year round.

 Book

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Photo, © Gites de la Ferme de Chausey

Stay in the old presbytery

Granville town council rents out five holiday cottages in the old presbytery in Chausey. The cottages are available all year round, except in January.

Old presbytery

 

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Photo, © B. Croisy - Ville de Granville

Tip: Do you want to stay in Chausey and enjoy a complete change of scenery? Book early, as the accommodation there gets snapped up quickly!

When to go to Chausey?

Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons

If you want to make the most of your trip to Chausey, we recommend going in spring to see the first flowers blooming, or in autumn to enjoy the spectacular sunsets. There are fewer visitors in these seasons and you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself.

Chausey has its own microclimate, and the sun doesn’t necessarily wait for summer to make an appearance. You could be surprised by the weather on the island.

So don’t hesitate to come to the islands in the off-season to enjoy the peace and quiet.

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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

    Only a handful of fishermen and coastal wardens live on the island (around 10 to 12 inhabitants).

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    Photo, © Best Jobers

    The first holiday home owners return, in time for the wildflowers and the sea bird hatchlings.

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    Photo, © OTGTM - Alexandre LAMOUREUX

    The island is a ballet of boats and day trippers.

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    Photo, © Xavier Lachenaud

    Chausey is magnified by its contrasting colours, and the bird numbers swell during their migration.

During the spring tides, 365 islets emerge

Washed by the biggest tides in Europe, the landscapes of the archipelago transform completely as the sea ebbs and flows. As in the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, the tidal range can be as much as 14 metres between high tide and low tide.

Photo
Photo, © Captain Yvon

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