Passage du Gua - the tidal road in France Bashny.Net

Passage du Gua is a tidal road in the Bay of Bourneuf, connecting the island of Noirmoutier with the mainland of France. Twice a day, for an hour or two, the flow of water recedes and the road becomes visible and accessible to traffic. The rest of the time it is flooded to a level of 1-4 meters and can not be used.



Although similar roads exist in other places (for example, in the county of Hindo in Korea), the uniqueness of the Passage du Gua lies in its exceptional length - 4.5 km. In the 18th century, the road was much longer because the old dams were farther from the coast.

Initially, the only way to reach Noirmoutier was by boat. But one day the bay of Bourneuf gradually receded, forming a road as a natural path to the island. The passage connecting the mainland to the island was first mentioned on maps in 1701.

Some time later, in 1840, additional supports were installed, and a capital road from a cobblestone was equipped. It was possible to travel on horseback as well as by car. In 1971, a bridge was built linking the island to the mainland.

Crossing the road is considered very risky. Although tide times are accurately marked on either side of the road on large signs, the water flows very quickly to high levels and many visitors are trapped each year. Special rescue towers are located throughout the Passage du Gua. You can climb on them and wait until a lot of water comes down. But the car can no longer be saved...

At low tide, hundreds of tourists and locals come here for a walk. The road also attracts shell catchers collecting shellfish directly on the sand after low tide. Since 1986, an unusual race has been held through Passage. In 1999, the Tour de France bicycle race took place here.



Source: lifeglobe.net/