A road that hides underwater twice a day, a tide clock for your itinerary, and an island that rewards travelers who plan like locals.
We’re talking about Passage du Gois, the tide-ruled road that appears twice a day and vanishes just as fast. At low tide, locals and visitors race the clock to cross its 4.2 kilometres to Île de Noirmoutier..
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Meet the road that vanishes
Passage du Gois links mainland Beauvoir-sur-Mer to Île de Noirmoutier, but only when the ocean allows.
There are nine refuge masts along the route, climbed more often by caught-out daydreamers than they’d care to admit. It is part science, part theatre, and completely tide-ruled.
Trip basics at a glance
- Nearest airport: Nantes Atlantique (NTE) with better connectivity.
- Gateway city: Nantes, with frequent rail links nationwide.
- Backup route: The modern Noirmoutier bridge is open 24 hours, and it is free.
- Live tide tables: Check the live tide tables published by the island tourist office.
Best time to go, based on your vibe
- Drama and photos: Aim for spring tides when the sea retreats furthest, exposing vast mirror-slick sand. Check the tidal coefficient and low tide hour before you plan.
- Car-free ease: From 28 June to 31 August 2025, the island runs free Gratibus shuttles every day, typically 08:00 to 20:00 Hrs, connecting beaches, villages and the bus station.
- Quieter lanes, soft light: Late May to September often bring gentler crowds and mild weather, with reliable crossing windows if you time it right. Use the live tables when you set dates.
Crossing the Gois safely
- Follow the window: Plan to be on the Gois from 90 minutes before to 90 minutes after low tide.
- Read the signs: Check the tide boards on both sides and the light signals before you roll. If fog drops, skip it.
- Park smart: Use the car parks at either end, not the roadway itself. Then walk or wade out like the locals.
- If the sea surprises you: Those nine refuge masts are for waiting out the water, not for photos. Call for help, do not try to drive through.
- Pro tip: Do not trust your GPS alone, which may route you onto the causeway at the wrong time. Always check the tide page first.
Getting there, with or without a car
- From the airport: Land at Nantes Atlantique, shuttle to Nantes station, then board Aléop Line 13. Car rental is easy at Nantes Atlantique airport if you prefer to self-drive.
- Train + coach: Take the TGV or TER to Nantes, then board Aléop Line 13 to Noirmoutier. Summer schedules add more runs across the island.
- Car-free on island: In summer, Gratibus lines loop beaches, markets and villages so you can skip parking altogether.
If you miss the tide
Take the bridge and circle back later. The island still delivers, from pale-pine woods to wind-ruffled salt marsh. The causeway will reappear soon enough.
More to do on Noirmoutier
Shellfish gleaning
This shore is famous for cockles, clams and oysters. Respect the size and daily catch limits, use only the allowed tools, and check sanitary notices before you dig.
Birding
This island sits inside the Baie de Bourgneuf wetlands, part of Natura 2000 and a Ramsar site that hosts over 60,000 waterbirds in winter
Watch waders feed by the Gois at low tide, then scan high-tide roosts at Müllembourg or the flat trails of the Polder de Sébastopol, and stick to signed paths.
Sightseeing
Climb the keep of Château de Noirmoutier for island-wide views, exhibitions and a sense of how long people have been watching these tides.
Next year, plan your visit to coincide with Les Foulées du Gois, a unique race across the tidal causeway as the sea rushes in. In 2025, it took place on 15 June.
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