Mont Saint Michel Bay C Philippe LozeMont Saint Michel Bay C Philippe Loze
©Mont Saint Michel Bay C Philippe Loze

High tides

Listen to the melody of the ocean

The English Channel, an arm of the sea between France and the UK, is famous for its high tides, an impressive natural phenomenon that attracts the attention of locals and visitors alike every year.

When the sun shines with the moon...

Large tides are mainly due to the combined effect of the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun on the ocean waters. When the Moon and Sun are aligned with the Earth, as during full and new moons, their gravitational forces combine to produce larger tides, known as spring tides. Conversely, when the Moon and Sun form a right angle with the Earth, the tides are less pronounced, known as neap tides.

La Manche, ideal region for observing this phenomenon.

The particular topography of the English Channel, and in particular that of the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, amplifies the effect of high tides. The narrow, shallow shape of this stretch of water restricts tidal movement, causing greater variations in water level along the coast. Rising tides can sometimes reach spectacular heights, submerging beaches and coastal areas, while falling tides reveal stretches of sand and rock previously hidden beneath the waves.

What to do during high tides?

For locals and visitors alike, high tides are much more than just a natural phenomenon. They offer a captivating spectacle, a chance to contemplate the power of nature and the changing beauty of the coast. Get out your camera and stand safely along the shoreline to capture the striking images of crashing waves. Are you a fan of shore fishing? Take the opportunity to explore newly discovered beaches. Are you at Mont Saint-Michel or the pointe du Grouin du Sud? Watch the tidal bore, a rare phenomenon in which waves move rapidly through the estuary.

Make a date: high tides in 2024

MAY
Monday 6 – coef 93
Tuesday 7 – coeff 97/99
Wednesday 8 – coef 101
Thursday 9 – coeff 100/97
Friday 10 – coef 93

JULY
Tuesday 23 – coef 92/94
Wednesday 24 – coef 95/94
Thursday 25 – coef 93/91

AUGUST
Monday 19 – coef 90
Tuesday 20 – coef 96/101
Wednesday 21 – coef 105/107
Thursday 22 – coef 108/107
Friday 23rd – coef 104/100
Saturday 24 – coef 94

SEPTEMBER
Tuesday 17 – coef 91/99
Wednesday 18 – coef 105/110
Thursday 19 – coef 113/115
Friday 20 – coef 114/112
Saturday 21 – coef 107/102
Sunday 22 – coef 94

OCTOBER
Wednesday 16 – coef 95/101
Thursday 17 – coef 107/110
Friday 18 – coef 112
Saturday 19 – coef 111/108
Sunday 20 – coef 103/97

NOVEMBER
Thursday 14 – coef 94
Friday 15 – coef 98/101
Saturday 16 – coef 102
Sunday 17 – coeff 101/98
Monday 18 – coef 94

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