Passage du Gois
The Passage du Gois is a road construction curiosity. The secondary road D 948 is located in the nature reserve Baie de Bourgneuf between the Ile de Noirmoutier and Beauvoir- sur -Mer on the mainland. The passage is only dependent on tide usable. At low tide, traffic is possible at high tide the road of about 2 m to 3 m water completely flooded. The height of the water level, however, varies greatly: In a neap tide and calm weather conditions the road is also the water high tide to less than 1 m high covered; When a spring tide and unfavorable meteorological conditions of the water peak can be up to 4.5 m above the ground.
There are several other roads of this type - extraordinary is at the Passage du Gois, the length of 4.5 km.
Etymology
The term " gois " used in the Vendée has the same meaning as " gué " in the high French. It simply means " ford ".
History
With the emergence of the Baie de Bourgneuf in the Quaternary brought ocean currents from the north and south large quantities of sand to form, which then deposited between the island and mainland.
18th century
Already checked the 1702 French Marshal Chamilly if the rumors that you could reach out and leave the island Noirmoutier walk true. He found three islanders who were willing to wade at low tide on foot from the island to the mainland through the water. He himself went a different route with the boat. 1 1/2 hours later they met on the mainland at the agreed place and took their pay in reception. Then they made their way back to the island, but they pointed out that they still had plenty of time for the return journey.
In Vendée war during the French Revolution, the Ile de Noirmoutier was a refuge for Royalists. Followers of the revolutionary army were captured during March on the island by the flood.
Until the 18th century the neighboring bewerkstelligten the dangerous crossing to the island on foot over sandbanks. Then foundations were established to prevent movement of the sandbanks. They are the foundation for the current roadway embankment. Although the times for high and low water levels are displayed on the passage, it always comes back to incidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.
1920-1940
Significant improvements in comfort and safety, the year 1924, when the passage was gravelled. In addition, three Rettungsinselm were built with a platform that can not be reached from the sea even at high tide. Add it to passers-by can escape if they are surprised by the flood. Six more dolphins carry a long pole with rungs to Koemm out of reach of the sea. Be Popularly known as " mâts de perroquets " ( parrot mast ) refers.
In the years 1935-39, the path was covered with plates. Worked could be only at low tide, that is, twice a day for two hours. Against the pressure of the road surface is protected by the flow sheet piling. Meanwhile, a section of the route was also paved.
The Gois during the Second World War
Both in the occupation of the island in June 1940 and during the retreat of the island ( July-August 1944) used the German Wehrmacht Gois. In the period of occupation the island was restricted. Entering and leaving the island was available only to persons who had an appropriate permit. At both ends of the passage of the Armed Forces checkpoints were set up. Nevertheless at this time succeeded more than 100 people who were without a permit to smuggle past the controls. It included mainly people who were forced obligation to participate in the construction of German defensive positions escaped.
The Gois since 1945
With increasing engine from the mid-20th century, the traffic through the passage increased enormously: in 1962 counted about 400,000 crossings, in 1970 there were around 910,000. Since the traffic had to be limited to a few hours per day it came increasingly to congestion. The construction of an alternative connection between the mainland and the island became more urgent. Addition, since the mid 1971 is a bridge available. The number of trips across the passage then took off rapidly, even if the bridge in the early years was a toll: In 1971, 760,000 counted in 1980 there were 530,000. The main tourist season was in each case the month of August, in which each around 25 % of all crossings of the year took place. The official counts were adjusted by the end of 1982. It is estimated for the years after 2010 from about 200,000 to 300,000 vehicles per year, which use the passage.
The Passage du Gois is a part of the old National Road 148 between Noirmoutier -en- l'Île and Limoges, today it is part of D 948
Curiosities
At the Tour de France 1999, there were on the third leg from Nantes to Laval on the Passage du Gois wet and slippery a massive crash, which divided the field of riders into two groups. The first stage of the Tour de France 2011 has been started on the passage.
Since 1987, held annually on a Saturday in the second half of June race across the ford place - called 'Les Foulées du Gois '. The program for 2013 provides as follows: The total of about 1,000 participants start in different age groups in a total of 6 races: with a length of 1000 m, 1500 m, 3200 m, 2 races ( one for men, one for women ) over 8000 m. Climax and conclusion of the event is the 6th round, the so-called race against the sea (Course contre la mer ): 30 runners start 2 1/2 hours after the water low. This is the time at which the rising water reaches the roadway. Record holder since 1990 Dominique Chauvelier with 12 minutes and 8 seconds.
Pictures
Vendée (85 ), Passage du Gois
Old signs the Le Gois announce
Ile de Noirmoutier 1998