Very high high tides and very low low tides.
In January, February and March 2023, the tidal coefficients (which indicate their amplitude) are particularly high on the west coast.
The tidal range (the difference between high tide and low tide) is higher than normal.
In question: the influence of the gravitational attraction of the moon.
The opportunity to admire unseen landscapes, to immortalize high tides in photos or, at low tide, to learn how to fish on foot.
Especially since the high tides will not resume until August!
During this phenomenon, Normandy and its Mont-Saint-Michel are particularly popular with lovers of breathtaking panoramas.
But this is not the only place from which it is possible to observe the high tides.
What about security?
High tides are not without danger.
Besides that of submersive waves, the greatest risk is to go fishing on foot at low tide and get stuck on a sandbar.
During this period, the sea rises particularly quickly, going from low tide to high tide in a snap of the fingers.
A piece of advice to avoid being trapped by the waters, leave no later than two hours after low tide.
Read alsoFacing the sea: our beautiful hotel addresses, from the Breton coast to the Atlantic coast
In Normandy
Mont-Saint-Michel becomes almost an island again during high tides.
AdobeStock / ChiccoDodiFC
The English Channel attracts many curious people every year during high tides.
In Normandy, the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a privileged place to observe them.
Already, because it is the opportunity to admire a rare phenomenon: the one during which the rocky islet becomes an island almost cut off from the mainland, to within a few centimeters.
Also, because you can see the tidal bore, the wave preceding the significant rise in water characteristic of high tides.
For details of the tidal coefficients at Mont-Saint-Michel in January, February, March and April next, refer to those of Saint-Malo below.
Another unmissable Norman point of view: the Chausey archipelago.
During high tide, the largest group of islands in Europe reveals its 4000 hectares of reefs at low tide.
From these islands, high tides will be observed several times.
Between January 22 and 25, the tidal coefficients will rise to 105. High tides will also occur between February 20 and 24, when the coefficients will climb to 112. Rebelote between March 20 and 24 , where the tidal coefficients will go up to 111.
Read alsoDiscover Chausey during a tide
The Chausey archipelago is the largest in Europe.
AdobeStock / daboost
Amateur of impressive images?
Direction Granville, and more particularly its Plat Gousset promenade.
During high tides, the waves come crashing on the dike in a spectacular way.
Beware, however, of the strength of the latter – and of the splashes!
Between January 22 and 25, the tidal coefficients will rise to 105. It will then be necessary to wait a month, between February 20 and 24, to find such coefficients.
During this period, they will flirt with the 112. Rebelote between March 20 and 24, where the coefficients will be close to 111.
Also in what is nicknamed the land of the Northerners, the submersible road from Le Havre de la Vanlée to Bricqueville-sur-Mer disappears entirely under water during high tide.
This particularity makes it a particularly popular vantage point for travellers.
Between January 21 and 25, the tidal coefficients of the town will rise to 105.
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A month later, between February 20 and 24, the phenomenon can again be observed, with coefficients that will go up to 112. Between March 21 and 24, you can again observe high tides whose coefficients will rise to 111. Finally, from April 19 to 22, these same coefficients will flirt with 102, enough to admire the phenomenon one last time.
A little further down, a stop in the towns of Carolles and Champeaux, the Vauban huts – former guardhouses – will allow you to observe the high tides, on the same dates and with a panoramic view of the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Read alsoFrom Mont-Saint-Michel to the cliffs of Étretat, our advice and itineraries for exploring Normandy by bike
In Brittany
In Morbihan, high tides will occur in January, February, March and April 2023. AdobeStock / mikisa studio
Brittany is also a region where high tides are spectacular.
In Brest, from January 22 to 25, the tidal coefficient will rise to 105. Between February 20 and 24, it will rise to 112, against 111 between March 21 and 24.
Last period of high tide: between April 19 and 22, when this coefficient will reach 102. The opportunity to collect some shells at low tide.
Rather Morbihan?
It is also possible to observe the high tides from its prefecture, Vannes.
Between January 22 and 25, the tidal coefficients will rise to 105. From February 20 to 23, they will climb to 112, before dropping to 111 between March 21 and 24.
In April, between the 19th and 21st, the tidal coefficient will rise to 102. Several islands in the Gulf of Morbihan, such as those of Boëd or Tascon, will also be excellent viewpoints.
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In Saint-Malo, the high tides will be impressive in 2023. The phenomenon will take place for the first time between January 22 and 25, a period during which the tidal coefficients will go up to 105. But it is in February that the high tides will be the most impressive.
And for good reason: on the 22nd, the coefficient will be 112.
Between March 21 and 24, the latter will be slightly lower, since it will be around 111. A decline that continues in April: between 19 and 22 of this month, the coefficient will climb to 102 only.
So many opportunities to discover the spectacle of the waves crashing on the dike and, perhaps, to see a few places in the Breton city submerged.
From the Bastion of Holland, at the western end of the city, you will have a breathtaking view.
Read alsoThe five most beautiful villages on the Brittany coast
On the Atlantic coast
The Eyrac jetty, in Arcachon, is a privileged place to observe the high tides.
AdobeStock / papinou
More southwest?
Head for the Atlantic coast and its many privileged places of observation.
In 2023, you will be able to observe several high tides in La Rochelle.
Between January 22 and 25, the tidal coefficients will rise to 105. In February, between January 20 and 24, they will climb to 112, to drop to between 100 and 111 between March 21 and 24.
Between April 19 and 22, they will go up to 102 in the port city.
Further south, Bordeaux will be an ideal place for observing high tides in the first months of 2023. Between January 22 and 25, the tidal coefficients will rise to 105 in the world wine capital.
In February, the one nicknamed the Port of the Moon will again experience high tides: the coefficient will climb to 112 between the 20th and 24th of this month.
The phenomenon will recur several times in the pearl of Aquitaine, between March 20 and 24 (the coefficient will then reach 111) then between April 19 and 21 (at its peak, it will be 102).
1h30 from there by train, the Eyrac jetty in Arcachon will also be an ideal observation point.
Read alsoWhat are the closest beaches to Bordeaux?
Even further south, in Biarritz, you will be able to observe the high tides from January 22 to 25 (the tidal coefficients will then rise to 105).
Later, the period between February 20 and 23 will also be conducive to the phenomenon (the coefficients will then climb to 112).
Just like that of March 21 to 24 (the coefficients can then go up to 111).
Finally, between April 19 and 22, it will once again be possible to admire the high tides (their coefficient will then rise to 102).
What about observation points, walks or shore fishing?
Miramar beach and Grande Plage will delight more than one.
For those who prefer to photograph high tides, head for the promenade overlooking the latter.
