All passengers are deemed to have read these general terms and conditions of sale.
They may be consulted on the website tatihou.manche.fr and at the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
Ignorance of these terms may under no circumstances exempt passengers from their application. The operator’s liability may not be extended beyond the scope of these terms and conditions.
General conditions for the transport of passengers to Tatihou Island from the port of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue
Carrier’s liability
The liability of the maritime carrier is governed by the French Transport Code and by Regulation (EU) No. 1177/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea. The purchase of a transport ticket constitutes acceptance of these general terms and conditions.
During boarding, disembarkation and crossings, the liability of the maritime carrier is in all circumstances limited to the period during which passengers or their belongings are under its direct control on board the vessel.
The maritime carrier shall not be held liable in the event of timetable changes or cancellation of departures due to force majeure, including adverse weather conditions, as well as extraordinary circumstances preventing the provision of the transport service as defined by European Regulation No. 1177/2010 of 24/11/2010.
Crossing times are provided for information purposes only and may vary depending on tides and weather conditions.
The operator’s liability may only be invoked within the framework of the texts applicable to maritime transport. Any compensation that may be granted is limited by those texts.
Boarding and control
To board the vessel, all passengers, including children, must hold a valid transport ticket, which may be presented in paper form or on a smartphone or other digital device.
Passengers must arrive no later than 20 minutes before the boat’s departure. They must hold a transport ticket purchased at the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue or via the online ticketing website. It is the passenger’s responsibility to find out the boarding location: beach slipway at low tide or the green-light pier at high tide. The operator cannot be held responsible for delays caused by traffic conditions (parking, traffic jams, etc.). A minimum of 15 minutes should be allowed between the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou and the boarding point.
Any passenger, even if in possession of a valid ticket, arriving after this deadline shall have no recourse against the operator if they are unable to board and shall remain liable for the fare. However, subject to availability, the operator will attempt to board the passenger on the next crossing to the island.
On-board safety
Passengers are subject to on-board discipline under the authority of the vessel’s captain. As such, passengers must comply with all regulations and instructions for boarding and disembarking.
For safety reasons, passengers must remain seated for the entire duration of the crossing.
The vessel’s captain may refuse boarding to any passenger whose attitude or behavior is incompatible with the safety of other passengers or of the vessel. In such cases, no refund or ticket exchange will be possible. Passengers under the influence of alcohol are not permitted on board. Any damage caused by a passenger to the vessel, facilities, or other passengers shall be the sole and full responsibility of that passenger, who shall be required to repair all proven damage and compensate for any other losses claimed by the operator or third parties concerned.
Timetables
Passengers must travel on the date and at the time indicated on their ticket.
Departure and return times are set by the operator. In the event of changes to these times, the operator will make every effort to inform passengers as soon as possible. However, the operator reserves the right to cancel or postpone any crossing without prior notice or compensation in the event of adverse weather conditions or any other extraordinary circumstances.
Conditions relating to minors
Children under the age of 16 on the date of travel are not permitted to travel alone. They must travel under the supervision and responsibility of an accompanying adult.
Luggage and animals
The vessel does not have a luggage hold; therefore, passengers must carry and board their own luggage. The operator is not responsible for luggage. Items or luggage found on board and not claimed at the arrival port will be deposited at the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou and kept for three years. The operator cannot be held liable for the loss or deterioration of luggage stored in this manner.
Animals are not permitted on Tatihou Island and are therefore not allowed on board, with the exception of certified guide dogs. The vessel’s captain will refuse boarding to any passenger accompanied by an animal. In such cases, no ticket refund will be granted.
Complaints
Any complaint against the operator must be sent to:
Département de la Manche – Île Tatihou – BP 3 – 50550 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue,
within 15 days following the journey, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.
General terms and conditions for boat ticket sales
Ticket price
The fare must be paid in full before each departure, according to the applicable tariff. Passengers eligible for a special fare must claim it before purchasing tickets and present supporting documentation at the time of purchase or during boarding control for tickets purchased online. Fares are available on tatihou.manche.fr.
Transport fares include port charges and the passenger tax for access to protected natural areas. Passengers must retain their transport ticket and present it upon request during any inspection, failing which a fixed penalty payable on site may be charged.
Ticket purchase
Tickets for the crossing to Tatihou Island may be purchased, subject to availability, as follows:
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At the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou, Quai Vauban, Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, during opening hours. Ticket sales at the counter are possible up to 30 minutes before the boat’s departure.
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Online via tatihou.manche.fr, up to 20 minutes before departure, provided seats remain available.
For tickets purchased online, each passenger must present a clearly legible transport ticket at boarding, either on a smartphone or in paper format. Without this ticket, boarding will be denied.
Payment at the counter may be made by cheque, cash, holiday vouchers, or bank card. Exchange vouchers issued by travel agencies and tourist offices are accepted provided a prior agreement has been signed between those organizations and the operator.
Cancellation or modification by the customer
Tickets are valid only for a specific day and outbound time.
They are refundable exclusively in cases of force majeure (medical reasons or death), upon presentation of supporting documentation by the purchaser.
Visits may also be rescheduled, exclusively to another date within the same season. The date and time indicated on the ticket may be changed at the Tourist Office – Île Tatihou or by telephone up to 48 hours before departure, subject to seat availability. After this deadline, tickets can no longer be modified.
All refund requests or complaints must be submitted within 15 days of the date indicated on the ticket, by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, to:
Département de la Manche – Île Tatihou – BP 3 – 50550 Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue.
Cancellation by the operator
In accordance with the regulations applicable to maritime transport, if a vessel’s departure is prevented by an event beyond the operator’s control (strike, weather conditions, health regulations, etc.), the operator declines all responsibility for any direct or indirect costs or damages resulting from such changes and will not refund tickets. Any modification or cancellation will be notified as quickly as possible. The operator will endeavor to find an alternative solution and, where possible, will offer a rescheduling. Such substitution shall not give rise to any right to compensation, refund, or indemnity.
In the event of a vessel breakdown, any complaint must be sent by email to resa.tatihou@manche.fr to request either a rescheduled crossing (subject to availability) or a refund.
For refund requests, tickets and an official bank account statement (IBAN + BIC) must be attached and sent to the same address, for the attention of the authorized accounting officer.
If departures are merely delayed, regardless of the reason, this shall not give rise to any right to compensation, refund, or indemnity.
Under no circumstances shall the operator be held responsible for missed connections between boat departures/arrivals and any other means of transport.