Passage du Gois, Submersible road in Vendée, France
Passage du Gois is a causeway about 4 kilometers long connecting the mainland town of Beauvoir-sur-Mer to Noirmoutier Island. The roadway disappears beneath Atlantic tides twice daily and reappears when the water recedes.
The route has existed since medieval times and was originally an important trading connection between the mainland and the island. Over the centuries, it was repeatedly improved to remain passable even under challenging conditions.
The passage has long been a place where locals and visitors experience the relationship between human activity and natural forces. People cross it during low tide, while the ocean reclaims it twice a day in a rhythm that shapes daily life.
Nine rescue towers are spaced along the route and provide shelter if drivers are caught by rapidly rising water. Check the tide schedule before driving to ensure you travel during low tide periods when the road is safe.
After each tidal cycle, a thin layer of seaweed coats the roadway and demands special driving techniques to navigate the slippery surface safely. This natural coating makes every crossing a distinctive experience between pavement and ocean.
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