Showing posts with label Noirmoutier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Noirmoutier. Show all posts

Sunday, 10 June 2012

A walk along the jetty

We normally go for a walk on Sunday but with today's damp weather we decided to give it a miss (and watch the tennis instead) So here is an interesting walk we did whilst at the coast a few weeks ago...

The Jacobsen jetty in Noirmoutier was rebuilt between January 2010 and May 2011 and protects 150 hectares. It is 1813 metres in length and provides an interesting walk with a chance to photograph some of the wildlife along the way .

Details of the work to upgrade the jetty.

Looking out to the end
Looking back towards the town
 And the view out to sea from the end of the new jetty..
When we were there the Avocet, newly arrived from their migration, were attracting the attention of local bird watchers. Here a Little Egret gets in on the act..
Another unusual sight was that of a drove, pace or herd (depending which collective you prefer!) of donkeys grazing on the salt marsh..
On a hot sunny day it was a very pleasant walk... oh how different it would have been on a day like today!

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Riding on the sea...

Well that's what it feels like! Crossing the causeway that is the "Passage du Gois" (D948) between the mainland and the island of Noirmoutier, where they grow the best potatoes in France...


The route is only accessible 1½ hours either side of low tide and in good weather. It is a brilliant drive and a great experience... This is our second trip; we did the crossing three years ago when we were last in this area and the weather was dismal and raining.
Taken 8th June 2009
The 13th May when we did the crossing was much better!


I love the descriptive signs at either end, They don't need any words really...

This is the sensible way and the way we came across to the island in the morning when the tide was high.

Both the island and the causeway are a great experience and well worth the trip if you are in that part of France.