Spectacle Des Marees Sur La Plage De Jullouville Credit Otgtm Pauline Vidinic 36675 1920pxTidal show on Jullouville beach
©Tidal show on Jullouville beach|Pauline Vidinic
High tidesUnderstanding this spectacular natural phenomenon

Experience the high tides

Destination Granville Terre et Mer

An extraordinary phenomenon of nature, tides always offer a restful spectacle. High tide, low tide, high tide, low tide… This to-and-fro repeats itself eternally, every day, according to the cycles of the moon and the sun. Still, it deserves a little explanation!

How do the tides work?

On the Destination Granville Terre et Mer, you sometimes have to walk a long way before you get to the water’s edge… Then, about six hours later, the sea is all the way up the beach. This back and forth is the sea. It’s the Moon that causes the tides by drawing the oceans towards it like a magnet. The Earth is constantly spinning on itself, and the Moon revolves around the Earth. This creates more or less regular cycles that generate shifts in tide times every day.

When the moon is over an ocean, it attracts it and this creates a kind of “hump”. Thus, on either side of this hump, depressions are created: this is the low tide. When the moon has passed beyond the ocean, the hump relaxes and thus extends over the coastlines: this is the high tide.

What do we call

A big tide?

The influence of the Moon and Sun on the Earth

As seen above, the Moon is the main actress in the great show of the tides. The Sun, meanwhile, has the best supporting role! In fact, the tides are stronger or weaker depending on the astral calendar. This translates into a coefficient which indicates whether the marnage, i.e. the difference between the height of the water at low tide and high tide, is greater or lesser.

This is due to the Sun, which also has a power of attraction over the Earth. It is, however, half as great as that of the Moon. So, depending on the position of the two celestial objects, they can either add their forces or oppose them. When the Moon and the Sun are in agreement with each other, the tide is therefore more powerful, so we’ll be in spring tide. When all the stars are perfectly coordinated, it’s Grande Marée! Conversely, when the Moon and Sun sulk at each other, their forces cancel each other out, and it’s neap tide. Proof that love can unleash the elements!

Europe's highest tides, an ideal phenomenon for

Fishing on foot

In France, it’s in the baie du Mont-Saint-Michel, on the Destination Granville Terre et Mer, that the marnage is the largest in Europe: it’s 14.5 meters there, the equivalent of a four-storey building!

It’s ideal for discovering or regularly practicing fishing on foot. Set out on foot on the estran and collect some shellfish and crustaceans for your personal consumption. It’s always a great experience and a guaranteed culinary treat at the end. Be careful, however, to be sure to respect the regulations and practice this actvity gently to preserve the resource. To be perfectly frank, big rakes in the sand aren’t much appreciated around here…

2023 calendar

Highest tides

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