Hâble d'Ault, Protected area in Hauts-de-France, France
The Hâble d'Ault is a protected area along the Picardy coast, consisting of marshlands, grasslands, and gravel beaches with chalk cliffs bordering the shoreline. The site lies between the white cliffs of Ault and the Somme Bay estuary.
The site initially served as a fishing port until the mid-18th century, when construction of a pebble dyke between 1750 and 1773 transformed it into farmland. This major change altered how the landscape was used and managed.
The name 'hable' comes from old words meaning harbor or refuge, reflecting its past role as shelter for fishing boats. Visitors can still sense this connection to the sea and traditional maritime life when walking through the site.
A walking trail of about 5 kilometers runs along the coast with several viewpoints for watching birds. The path is easy to follow and gives good chances to see swans, geese, and other waterfowl throughout the area.
The site serves as a critical stopover point for migrating birds, with more than 270 species recorded here. Rare plants such as sea kale and compressed rush grow in the marshes, contributing to the area's biological richness.
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