Passage du Gois, Submersible road in Vendée, France
The Passage du Gois extends for 4.125 kilometers between Beauvoir-sur-Mer and Noirmoutier Island, submerging twice daily under the Atlantic Ocean tides.
The road connection between mainland France and Noirmoutier Island through Passage du Gois dates back to the 9th century, providing essential access for trade.
The Foulées du Gois racing competition takes place annually on the causeway, where participants compete against the rising tide levels.
Nine elevated rescue towers line the causeway, offering safety points for travelers who might get caught by rapidly rising water levels.
The road surface accumulates a thin layer of seaweed after each submersion, requiring specific driving techniques for safe passage during low tide periods.
Location: Vendée
Official opening: 820
Part of: route départementale 148
Address: Rue du Gois, 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer, France 85230 Beauvoir-sur-Mer
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 14:00-18:00; Saturday-Sunday 09:30-12:30
Phone: +33251687113
Website: http://passagedugois.com
GPS coordinates: 46.93083,-2.12611
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:31
The Pays de la Loire region is full of lesser-known sites revealing the history and diversity of this western France region. Beyond the typical tourist routes, these sites provide an authentic insight into local heritage, craft traditions, and preserved natural landscapes. Among these destinations are castles like Brissac, the tallest in France, and the fortress of Tiffauges, associated with medieval legends. History enthusiasts will appreciate the Gallery of the Apocalypse Tapestry in Angers, a 14th-century textile work, or the Fontevraud Abbey, a remarkable monastic complex. Curious visitors will also find unusual sites such as the Passage du Gois, a tidal road connecting Noirmoutier Island to the mainland depending on the tide, and the Epinay Mill, still operational today. This selection also includes specialized botanical gardens, such as Camifolia in Chemillé, thematic museums dedicated to Jules Verne or early 20th-century rural life, as well as vineyards and manors surrounded by gardens. These locations, often frequented by locals, offer a different perspective for exploring the Pays de la Loire.
Pont de Noirmoutier
4.7 km
L'île aux papillons
10.1 km
Église Saint-Philbert de Beauvoir-sur-Mer
6.5 km
Réserve naturelle régionale du polder de Sébastopol
2.8 km
Plage des Sableaux
10.4 km
Parc de loisirs du Gois
3.1 km
Moulin de la Plaine (Barbâtre)
3.2 km
Fromentine lighthouse
4.8 km
Museum of Traditions
9.1 km
Plage de la Bergère
6.4 km
Plage des Lays
7.7 km
Labyrinthe végétal du Porteau
5 km
Belvédère du Pey de la Blet
5.9 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Bouin
10.8 km
Église Saint-Louis de La Barre-de-Monts
5.2 km
Phare de Fromentine
4.8 km
Ouvrages d'art sur le canal de la Taillée
5 km
Plage de la Cantine
9.3 km
Moulin Vieux de la Frandière
3.2 km
Pont du pommier
7.8 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Flots de Fromentine
4.7 km
Moulin à vent de la Fosse
3.6 km
Swin Golf La Barre de Monts
4.8 km
Plage de la Grande Côte
5.4 km
Marais Breton, baie de Bourgneuf, île de Noirmoutier et forêt de Monts
6.4 km
Chapelle Saint-Julien de Bouin
10.9 km
Plage de la Parée Grollier
8.8 km
Plage de Fromentine
4.7 kmReviews
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