AMAZING PHOTOS OF FRANCE’S TIDE OF THE CENTURY

Last week-end, French people have witnessed a combination of incredible astronomical events. The 20th of March, a total Sun eclipse greeted the Spring Equinox, visible from everywhere in France. Then on the 21st, thousands gathered along the French coast to witness the “tides of the century” with tidal coefficients of 119 (this event actually occurs every 18 years). The best spots to admire this impressive event: the Mont Saint-Michel where hotels, B&B were booked months in advance, Brittany (Brest St-Malo) and the Atlantic Coast (Nantes, Ile de Noirmoutier, Arcachon, Lacanau Biarritz).

La France a connu le WE dernier une combinaison de phénomènes astronomiques majeurs. Le 20 Mars, l’Equinoxe du Printemps s’est combinée avec une magnifique éclipse partielle (80%) du Soleil que des milliers de Français ont eu la chance d’admirer. Mais c’est Samedi, les Grandes « marées du siècle » (coefficient de 119 sur une échelle de 120 – phénomène qui se produit en fait tous les 18 ans environs) qui ont attirées le plus de monde. Les meilleurs endroits pour admirer ce spectacle impressionnant, Le Mont Saint-Michel bien sûr, avec hôtels et chambres d’hôtes qui ont affiché complets depuis déjà des mois, mais aussi la Bretagne (Brest, St-Malo) et la Côte Atlantique (Nantes, Ile de Noirmoutier, Arcachon, Lacanau, Biarritz).

Below, find a selection of amazing pictures of this spectacle.

Ci-dessous, des magnifiques photos de ces marées du siècle.

Mont Saint-Michel become an island again. Photo: Philippe Cherel/Ouest France
Mont Saint-Michel become an island again. Photo: Philippe Cherel/Ouest France

 

 The tide goes out very quickly over some 10 kilometres at the Mont Saint-Michel. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/Flikr.
The tide goes out very quickly over some 10 kilometres at the Mont Saint-Michel. Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard/Flikr.

 

Port des pecheurs submerged by hide tide at the iconic Port des Pecheurs in Biarritz.
Port des pecheurs submerged by high tide at the iconic Port des Pecheurs in Biarritz.

 

The passage du Gois, a road periodically flooded leading to the island of Noirmoutier. Photo: smartphotography/Flickr.
The passage du Gois, a road periodically flooded leading to the island of Noirmoutier. Photo: smartphotography/Flickr.

 

The granite village of Roscoff in Britany facing the tides of the Century. Photo: Protoneo/Flickr.
The granite village of Roscoff in Britany facing the tides of the Century. Photo: Protoneo/Flickr.

 

The low tide reveals sandy beaches of fine white sand and a cluster of rocky islands that may be reached on foot at Saint-Malo. Photo: Janick RIOT/Flickr
The low tide reveals sandy beaches of fine white sand and a cluster of rocky islands that may be reached on foot at Saint-Malo. Photo: T.Gregory/Flickr

 

Shell picking is a must-do at Saint-Lunaire during the king tides. Photo: Antoinesc/Flickr
Shell picking is a must-do at Saint-Lunaire during the king tides. Photo: Antoinesc/Flickr

 

Have been to France during the tides of the Centuries? What was your experience? Do not hesitate to add some comment below.

Isabelle.

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