› Discover
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
| Gateway to the islands - a name the town fully deserves. Just 22km
away, Port-Bail looks out onto the "île aux fleurs" (the island of
flowers being Jersey, as the French call it). The Channel Islands fell into English hands after William the Conqueror's victory in the battle of Hastings in 1066. When Normandy became part of the Kingdom of France in 1204, the islands stayed in the hands of the English crown. Today, Jersey has its own government, its own coins and banknotes and is not part of the European Union. |  |
 | Trips to the islands run between April and September from Carteret with
ferry company Manche Iles Express. All passengers must take a valid
identity card or passport with them to travel (if you are from a non-EU
country, please contact French customs) and children not accompanied by
both of their parents must have a foreign travel permit. To book and for more information, please contact Port-Bail Tourist Information. |
| The islands of Jersey, Guernesey, Sark and Alderney benefit from a
micro-climate caused by the warm Gulf Steam air current. In spring, it
sparkles with hundreds of colours, and the parks are fragrant with rare
scents. Jersey is particularly renowned for its carnations. Their
landscapes, rocky capes, valleys and large sandy beaches are perfect
for romantic walks. The anglo-norman heritage is just as beautiful as the islands themselves: Jersey with the Mont Orgueil castle, Guernsey with Victor Hugo's house, and Sark and Alderney with their breathtaking natural landscapes. |  |
Useful links:
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THE ECREHOUS
The Écréhous are, along with the Minquiers, two
achipelagos of the Channel Islands made up of islands and rocks
directly opposite Port-Bail, an hour's boat ride away, 11km to the
north-east of Jersey and just under 15km from the French coast.
Submerged by the tide, most of these small islands are inhabitable in
winter, though a few families from Jersey own fisherman's huts here.
Administratively, these islands belong to the Parish of Saint-Martin,
and therefore form part of the Bailiwick of Jersey (Channel Islands).
Their exact location is:
- 49° 17'00" northern longitude
- 1° 56'00" western latitude
To go there, you must have a registered French boat and raise the
Jersey flag as you will be entering into foreign waters. If you don't
have a boat, take a walk down to the port or to the Port Captain's
Office. You may find a friendly amateur sailor willing to take you over
to discover the islands.
Ask Hubert Louise, the captain of the Vieux Chien (Old Dog) who organises discovery trips to the Echrehous depending on the tides.
THE TOURIST TRAIN
Take a journey through time: from Port-Bail to Carteret, 10 km, the
length of the Island Coast, facing the Channel Islands, step aboard the
Cotentin Tourist Train with its 1930's carriage, pulled along by a
1950's antique diesel locomotive which was lovingly restored by
volunteers from the ACTM (Local tourism and railway association).
In
the summer, it's a practical and fun way of getting to the various
markets in the Côte des Isles area. The market trains run on Tuesdays
(Port-Bail market) and Thursdays (Carteret market). Take a Sunday
outing with the family and hop on the afternoon train which leaves from
Port-Bail. Also, with the tourist train, you'll be doing your bit for
the environment! Booking is required for all trains and can be made at
the Tourist Information Office.
All year round, you can also have a bite to eat on board, either in one of the theme trains, or as part of a group trip.
Group travel information: Leisure & Tourism: 02 33 45 93 47.
Email: tourismeetloisirs@orange.fr
Information on trains and the ACTM association:
Website: http://ttcotentin.monsite.wanadoo.fr
Email: ttcotentin@wanadoo.fr
LA CITE DE LA MER (Cherbourg Aquarium Complex)
Come and visit a unique site where you will be taken on a fantastic
journey discovering man's quest to conquer the great depths of the sea.
3-5 hours to discover a whole new world:
- 'Le Redoutable' (The Formidable), the largest submarine on display in the world.
- The abyssal aquarium, the deepest in Europe, with its height of 11 metres
- 360 million km² of seabed displayed over 10,000m²
- Walk into the depths - a virtual adventure with Captain Glass!
- plus, exhibitions, films, and interactive activities
The Cité de la Mer is located in Cherbourg's old Transatlantic Harbour Station.
You can buy your tickets at the Tourist Information Office, which will avoid queuing when you get there.
Website: www.citedelamer.com