Musée maritime de l'Île Tatihou

About the museum

The Tatihou maritime museum opened in 1992 and holds the “Musée de France” label. It was created to preserve and display fragments of boats sunk nearby by the English in 1692. It is located on Tatihou Island, off Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, in the Manche department.

Its collections cover fine arts, terrestrial archaeology, the natural history of the coast and maritime ethnology. In the boathouse are displayed traditional fishing and pleasure boats from the Normandy coast, built between 1907 and 1974: vaquelottes, plates, yoles, doris and picoteux. A ropemaker's shed houses the boat “Sainte-Thérèse-Souvenez-Vous”, built at Barfleur in 1948, along with plans, models and information on line fishing.

The exhibition “Sagas de Tatihou” tells the story of the island from the Palaeolithic to the present day. The exhibition spaces are currently being renovated, with a new exhibition titled “Face à la mer, des vaisseaux, des forts et des hommes” whose first rooms are open. The museum is run by the Manche departmental council, which also manages the Vauban tower, the gardens and the island's other sites.

Highlights

• Boathouse with traditional boats from the Normandy coast
• The boat “Sainte-Thérèse-Souvenez-Vous”, built at Barfleur in 1948
• The “Sagas de Tatihou” exhibition on the island's history
• Ship fragments sunk in 1692
• Crossing by amphibious boat, Tatihou III
• Vauban tower and gardens on the island

Permanent exhibitions

• Abri à bateaux – Traditional fishing and pleasure boats from the Normandy coast, built between 1907 and 1974 and arranged by construction technique, use or fishing trade.
• Sagas de Tatihou – The history of the island from the Palaeolithic to today, told through illustrated panels, objects and a digital picture book.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Département de la Manche

Visitors per year

approx. 76,836

Admission & discounts

Adult rate from age 19. Free from the third child of paying age. The ticket is a visit ticket for Tatihou Island and includes the museum. Tickets are on sale at the island's tourist office on Quai Vauban, by phone or online; arrive at least 30 minutes before the boat departs to collect your tickets at the counter. Payment in cash or by bank card.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dogs are not admitted to the island, except guide dogs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Good-value family pass. Walk over the foreshore, climb to the Vauban tower, visit the museum and gardens; occasional events such as bird stories about the island or cannon demonstrations. Swimming around the island is allowed, but the beach is not supervised.

Getting there & parking

Crossing by the amphibious boat Tatihou III from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue: about 5 minutes at high tide and 15 minutes at low tide; the boarding ramp is shown on your ticket. There is no alternative and no refund if you miss the boat. By car from Cherbourg: D901 towards Quettehou, about 35 minutes; from Calvados: N13 towards Cherbourg, exit Montebourg.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop: not available

There is no shop or food truck on the island. Restaurant Le Carré serves fresh, local cuisine; reserve via the Maisons de Tatihou on 02 33 69 26 33. Uncovered picnic areas and tables near the Vauban tower; there are no rubbish bins on the island, so please take your litter with you.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit