le passage du gois

If in the neighborhood, this is an unforgettable experience. During my life i was to visit this place several times. Its a great place at low tide to seek crabs and snails, but watching the water swallow the road is a great experience!

This was one of the highlights of our holiday, and unlike other 'attractions' didn't cost us anything. For 2-3 hours at low tide (check the tide times on-line!) you can drive this road which is covered by sea for the rest of the day. Either drive straight across, or park on the seabed and look for crustaceans etc. Noirmoutier is also accessible via the main road bridge, so don't worry about getting there and back within the 2-3 hour window. After initial nerves about what we were letting ourselves in for we began to enjoy the unusual environment. Our favourite thing was the emergency ladders every 100m or so - although I'm pleased to say we had no need to try them out.

The peninsula offers awesome beaches. You can also see salt being "farmed" and buy some real sea salt. The drive across the road only passable at low tide is a fun experience (there is a bridge if the tide is up).

great to drive in the sea according to the sat nav. Make sure you check tide times. if you have time park up and climb up the safety towers for great views and photo opportunities

I read about the Passage Du Gois and the Island of Noirmoutier in a book which prompted a small obsession. Of course I had to include it when traveling in France recently. We were lucky to arrive as the road began flooding, and to watch it being swallowed up by the sea was really something extraordinary. We then drove over a nearby bridge onto the Island of Noirmoutier where we spent a lovely afternoon shopping, sightseeing and having lunch (attention: stores and restaurants are almost all closed between 12 and 3 pm!). At 7 pm the passage was clear for a drive back and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of driving the Gois. Many people were out and about collecting shell fish along the way, and I loved seeing the climbing poles in case you need to rescue yourself from the flood. A highlight of our trip!

Do not try the cafe on the left if you get there early. Or if you do, make sure you ask if the prices on the price list are those you pay. We are charged 1 euro per drink more than that shown on the 'tariff du consumation'.

To watch the tide go out and drive over the road as the sea is still lapping is fantastic all the family enjoyed. You can park up on the sea bed and join the locals collecting shell fish for that nights supper!

Great fun to drive up and down a few time when the tide is low and in summer holiday season you won't be the only one, it gets busy!!Park your car halfway on the sand and go looking for shellfish with the many locals who do the same. When the tide comes back in make sure to hang around as this is equally as much fun. Make sure to move your car on safer land first!! The water comes rushing in faster than you think and within minutes you are knee deep. This is a unique attraction and the kids love it.

Only available for about 3 hrs a day (at low tide) the paved gois/causeway is a fun trip. It's about 4.5kms and you can easily stop to walk the dog, find free shellfish (all the islanders seem to do it!) or take great photos. Definately worth the drive if you time it right. It is really busy though and don't expect the locals to move out of your way!

We always use this to get over to Noirmoutier, amazing journey to take. Watch if you go at the weekend as it is very busy with the locals fishing and mussel picking. You must also visit La Maison De L'Ane ( House of Donkeys to you and I ) It has all the breeds of Donkeys, I really didn't realise that they could be that many different species. Some are Shire horse sizes, all are lovely and friendly and for a fee you can ride them.

Shows mans battle with the elements, and the elements win out here on a regular basis. Be careful of the tides, and take notice of the locals, or you could get your feet wet!

Drive across for a truly unique experience and for the more adventurous, why not 'peche a pied' for some shellfish, just watch the tide!

Go on a day when the coefficient for the tide is high, and arrive as the tide starts to come in. You can always go fishing for clams, either onthe mainland side, or on the Noirmoutier side, while you're waiting. But don't get caught on the causeway, or the sands! The tide comes in fast and literally swallows up the road. The cross you can see in the picture is on top of a stone mound. There are several of these, for people to clamber up, should they still be in the danger area when the ocean rushes in. The road is very old in origin, but has been rebuilt from time to time. Should you be hungry, there are restaurants near. If ever you're in the Vendée or the Loire Atlantique, this is a must!

One of life's minor amazing places; you look up the time of low tide, turn up and drive across; stop in the middle to squish your feet in the soft mud, join the coclers and generally do something you haven't done before. Took 2 different sets of visitors there and both enjoyed it.

Prix du menu qui ne correspond pas au prix indiqué sur le site. Demande à la propriétaire : agressive et n'attendant pas la fin de ma question. On a donc pris le menu le moins cher 20€ et quelques ... Alors que nous étions venus pour des fruits de mer ! Il n'en est pas question à ce prix. Entrée avec des trucs qui craquent dedans sous la dent, plat de poisson qui sent l'ammoniaque et dessert, pas de choix, juste un et des pas super. Seul le vin était à la hauteur ... Du prix. La patronne et la serveuse très appliquées pour vous faire des courbettes. Nul A C... Préférez à Bouin "Le Martinet" ou l'on est au petit soin pour vous et ou ce que vous aurez dans l'assiette sera parfait avec un menu au ras des pâquerettes sans rien à redire.