Passage du Gois, Tidal road in Vendée, France
The Passage du Gois is a road roughly 4.5 miles (7 km) long that links the island of Noirmoutier to the mainland near Beauvoir-sur-Mer. The road runs across mudflats and is only visible at low tide, disappearing completely under the sea at high tide.
The crossing has been used for centuries by fishermen and traders reaching the island before any permanent link existed. A bridge was built in 1971, giving Noirmoutier a year-round road connection to the mainland.
Before crossing, always check the current tide schedule, as the window for safe passage is short. Refuge posts are placed at regular intervals along the road and serve as landmarks and emergency shelters if the water rises faster than expected.
The name 'Gois' comes from an old word meaning 'to walk with wet feet', which sums up the experience well. Each June, a running race takes place on the road where participants race to reach the other side before the tide covers the route.
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