About Iles Chausey
Unlike the chaotic sprawl of its neighbouring reef, the Plateau des Minquiers, it is compact and measures a quarter of the size. Dominating the reef is Grande Ile with its conspicuous lighthouse, a fort, two hotels, a small church, a stores and a scattering of cottages and gites. It supports Chausey’s permanent population of about 100 who live mostly by fishing and catering for the stream of day trippers from Granville, on the French coast. Among its distinguished residents are the Renault family who converted one of the island’s forts into a private holiday château while the famous maritime painter and ocean traveller M Marin-Marie had his studio here.
The archipelago is penetrated by several narrow but well marked channels, most of which converge on Chausey Sound, the main anchorage and landing to the east of Grande Ile.
The earliest residents were monks from nearby Mont St Michel but the Chauseys’ history has been far from peaceful. The forts, dating back as far as the 16th century, are evidence of rivalry between Britain and France for control of the Baie du Mont St Michel. Their fate was not decided until 1802 when the came under the control of the Commune de Granville and the British dropped their claim to the archipelago as one of their Anglo-Norman possessions.
A ‘threat’ of a different kind came from the exploitation of the Chauseys’ much sought after blue tinged granite. For nearly 900 years until the early 20th century, armies of quarries worked on every part of the reef, shipping out vast quantities of stone for the building of quays and ramparts in ports as far afield as London and Bordeaux.
Ashore
A large part of Grande Ile is privately owned but public entry is tolerated. With the main objectives ashore likely to be the Restaurant at L’Hotel du Fort, noted for its seafood, ad the general store, much of the island tends to be undiscovered by visitors. From the top there are spectacular views over the Sound and some fascinating corners, such as a patch of typical Normandy countryside with miniature fields and woodland (bocage) at its centre.
The lighthouse and Le Fort at La Pointe de la Bretagne make an interesting visit. The most convenient beach is at Port Marie.