Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue Travel Guide

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Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue has a very beautiful and special marina. In contrast to other ports, that run dry, this one has watertight (well, more or less) locks that close when the tide goes down. The water stays in the port and so the marina of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is rather popular by sailing boats that make a tour along the Cotentin peninsula's coastline. This means that, when your locked in, there's no sailing out until the next high tide. Those who come too late, lay outside in the mud.

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At low tide (of course) you can walk through the oyster fields and find out more about how these sea fruits are "cultivated". In long rows, pillows are laid down on racks. These racks are below the waterline at high tide and fall dry at low tide. In between the racks - and on them the pillows in which the oysters are growing - are flushed with fresh seawater, a condition that is the most important for growing oysters. When the oysters are fully grown, the pillows are opened and the oysters are gathered.
No, these oysters are not cultivated for their pearls. These oysters are "farmed" for consumption. Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue oysters are world famous for their taste. Some say they slightly taste after nuts.

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Every day a special disigned amphibic boat pendels between port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and the small island Tatihou (Ile de Tatihou). The reason why is logical. The tidal differences here along the Cotentin peninsula's coast are enormous. Therefore at one moment the journey towards the island is made through and over the water and at another moment by running over the dry seabed. After a drive / sail of a small hour, one arrives at the island and start visiting the various parts of the Vauban fortress or visit the museum that explanes about the defensive structures as well as about the battle of La Hougue in which the English-Dutch fleet almost completely sank the French fleet (1692).