Chausey (French pronunciation: [ʃo.zɛ]) is a group of small islands, islets and rocks off the coast of Normandy, in the English Channel.

In 933, the Duchy of Normandy annexed the Channel Islands including Chausey, Minquiers and Ecrehous.

[a] In 1022, Richard II, Duke of Normandy, gave Chausey and the barony of Saint-Pair-sur-Mer to the Benedictine monks of Mont Saint-Michel, who built a priory on the Grande île.

[5] Seafarers engaged in illegal business long valued this maze of islands as a den of piracy and smuggling.

The Sound, the natural channel running along the Grande île, or the Passe Beauchamp, were ideally secluded anchorages.

The fortress of Matignon was built in 1559 as a quadrangular fort with a round tower, cellars, a bakery, and a cattle shed.

[10] The tidal range is one of the largest in Europe, with up to 14 metres (46 ft) difference between low and high tide.

[citation needed] The islands consist of a granitic geological formation, which has been subjected to erosion by sea and wind.

In summer the population increases, due to the tourism which constitutes an essential activity on the island, with nearly 200,000 annual visitors.