When the tide goes out in the Baie de Bourgneuf, the receding waters expose a roadway across the mudflats, connecting mainland France to the island of Noirmoutier. The Passage du Gois is just over four kilometers (about two and a half miles) long. In 1992, Ken and I arrived just in time to drive over to the island and back before the tide rose again.
There's a long history of people being trapped by the rising water, which at certain times of the year can rise up to four meters (about thirteen feet) above the road surface. Since 1987, there's been an annual foot race across the bay, at low tide, of course. The Tour de France bicycle race has been routed over le Gois at least three times over the years.
The last time we visited Noirmoutier (in 2018), we took the bridge.
I wonder what it was look building that ride and racing against the tide.
ReplyDeleteLove hearing tales of the tides in those parts.
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