Plage de la Basse Benaie, Sandy beach in Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, France.
Plage de la Basse Benaie extends approximately 400 meters along the Atlantic coast, mixing fine sand with natural rock formations that shape its landscape. The layout creates distinct zones where visitors encounter changing conditions as they move along the shore.
The shore holds traditional fish traps, ancient stone structures built to capture fish as tides shifted, remnants of centuries-old fishing practices. These structures stand as evidence of how local communities have worked with natural forces to sustain themselves.
The shore remains tied to fishing traditions, where locals venture into rocky areas during low tide to gather shellfish and crustaceans as they have for generations. This daily practice connects visitors to how people here have worked with the sea for centuries.
Swimming is safest during high tide when rocks are submerged, as low tide exposes numerous obstacles in the water. Free parking is available near the municipal camping site, making it easy to reach the shore.
From the shore, visitors can spot Oléron Island and the Lilleau des Niges National Nature Reserve across the water, both important sites for observing marine life. This vantage point lets travelers see how this beach fits into the region's wider natural areas.
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