The magnificent high tides in France can be experienced in Saint-Malo, where the tides are the highest in Europe. However, it is scary to watch the waves crash through the buildings near the ocean in the city of Saint-Malo.
When the high tides are not yet in action, the ocean looks like it does not exist. It is hard to see the ocean from the seafront as the distance between them is about 2km away. However, when the sun is setting, the water starts to rise by 13 meters.
The function of logs during high tides
If you have been to the ocean of Saint-Malo or at least have seen the picture of it, you will notice that there are wooden logs stuck in the sand along the seafront. There are about 3000 logs to make ensure the town from getting erosion due to the waves from the high tides. Still, the waves will use their absolute power to crash through the seafront. This happens when the weather is wild and stormy. Luckily, this occasion rarely happens.
This phenomenon occurs almost every month. During the time of equinoxes (20th March and 22nd September), the tides are even higher than usual. That same goes when there is a full moon. According to National Geographic, an equinox is “an event in which a planet’s subsolar point passes through its equator.”
To ensure the safety of the people of Saint-Malo, the administration will always be ready for any possibilities when high tides occur. They will close the town’s streets, and people are not allowed to go to the seafront in the evening.
Here’s a tip to identify the strength of the wave: The longer the period between each wave, the stronger the next wave will be. For someone who has never seen high tides and big waves, it will surely be a scary experience to encounter. However, for people who live in Saint-Malo, the occasion is a norm, and it must be an advantage to see nature’s power.
Source: Oddity Central, Youtube, Explore France, National Geographic.