The island of Noirmoutier, 45 minutes from our home, has been connected to the mainland by a bridge since July 7, 1971 (a great year, if I may say so myself) but a county road, which lies underwater, reappears twice a day to everyone’s delight!!! The Passage du Gois is a 4.2-kilometer submersible road connecting the island of Noirmoutier to the mainland. Invisible half the time, this fragile link is also a wonderful place to explore.
So let’s discover the Passage du Gois: a submersible road unique in the world!
Take a good look at what’s happening:
Thus, depending on the tides, it may or may not be possible to use this temporary route. You must therefore check the tide schedules to be sure you can cross. To know when to cross the Passage du Gois, check the Passage du Gois tide schedules before crossing. If the tidal range is above 70, you can cross 1.5 hours before and 1.5 hours after low tide.
Here is Ian in the morning when it is possible to cross…, then another photo, taken a few hours later…
Translation exercise: here is a presentation in English. You must translate it into French to warn vacationers of the potential danger.
And once you arrive on the island, enjoy it to the fullest, because it’s truly magnificent!!!
Listening comprehension exercise: paraphrase what is said in this video by the different speakers.
WRITING: You are writing to a friend to plan a trip to France together to learn French and explore the region. You need to express your surprise and your desire to see Le Gois up close.
A bit of history to finish up…
Le Gois hasn’t always existed. It was formed by the convergence of two currents and the deposition of large quantities of sand and silt during low tide.
Key dates to remember:
- 1701: First mention of a passage connecting the island to the mainland on a map.
- 1766: the first crossing of the Gois by Auguste Gauvrit de Barbâtre.
- 1780: The first markers were placed along the passage. These were simple stakes that offered little resistance to the weather and ocean currents. Eight years later, during the winter of 1788–89, they were swept away by the ice.
- 1840: Launch of a regular service operated by a horse-drawn carriage.
- 1872: The first stones were laid on the causeway.
- 1898: Thanks to the railway line reaching Fromentine and connecting to Challans, the ferry service gained popularity at the expense of the Gois crossing, which saw fewer and fewer users.
- 1935: Paving of the roadway begins and continues until 1939.
- 1942: The Gois is listed in the department’s inventory of sites.
- 1993: The Tour de France cycling race crosses the Gois for the first time.
- 2017: The Gois crossing is designated a site of national and heritage interest.
Below, Ian attempted this extraordinary feat!!!
Every year, there is a footrace on the Gois to run against the rising tide. It is a true athletic feat.
A bit different but within everyone’s reach, walking across is also an experience worth having:
https://www.ile-noirmoutier.com/fr/le-blog/temoignage-traversee-gois-a-pied.html
So, are you interested in exploring Le Gois?
To learn more, if you’d like to experience this in one way or another, we’re here to help organize it for you with a memorable tour of Noirmoutier Island.
Discover the island of Noirmoutier, located in the Bay of Biscay, in the Vendée region. This 48-square-kilometer island, just a stone’s throw from the shore, is a paradise for cycling and nature enthusiasts. You’ll be charmed by its diverse and unspoiled landscapes: fine sandy beaches, dunes, coves, nature reserves, salt marshes, forests… Discover the island and its four towns: Barbâtre, La Guérinière, L’Epine, and Noirmoutier-en-l’île!
Discover the must-see sites
Stroll through Noirmoutier-en-l’île, designated a “Petite Cité de Caractère,” observe the birds and flora of the salt marshes, savor fresh, delicious oysters at the Port du Bonhomme, stroll past the fishing boats at the Port de l’Herbaudière, and explore the legendary Passage du Gois… everything you need to enjoy yourself and escape the everyday!