- The big tides :
The pull between sun and moon can join together or act against eachother. When these large stars are in line with the earth, the two pulls join, creating the strongest tides -living water- during new and full moon. When moon and sun are in a rectangle with the earth, the two pulls act against eachother creating the weakest tides -dead water- during the first and last quarter of the moon. During the big tides, there is an approximative 15 meters difference between high and low tide. The height of a 5 story apartment building.
- The fisheries
Traditionnal fishing with wooden rods during ebbing tides. Its origins goes back to prehistoric times.
- The traditionnal fisheries
Hundred of fishermen taker over the bay during big tides.... Fishing for wild oysters and other shellfishes...shrimps and prawns. .
- The AOC labelled mussel
The "Bouchot" is a stake on which mussels grow. Usually out off oak or chesnut wood, 2 to 6 meters long, rough, half stuck in sand or sediments, in lines of 50 to 100 meters over areas which are totally or partially uncovered during low tide. To keep the baby mussel in place, a cord is strung around the stake.
Mussel farming on stakes in the bay of Mont Saint Michel was started in 1954 in the instigation of the electorate of Vivier sur Mer. In 1958, the mussel farmers of the Charente settled with their families in Vivier to develop this new way of mussel farming.
Presently, these stakes form a lenght 271 kms, allowing for a production of 10 000 to 12 000 tons per year, which represents 1/6 of the total national production, appr 300 people work in the industry.
(Maison de la Baie - Vivier sur Mer)
- L'estran :
This is the coastal stretch between level of the highest and lowest tides... The term "estran" is also used to describe the tidal zone.
This vast area is perfect for all kinds of activities like fishing, walking, photography, painting ect...
The coastal stretch of Cherrueix is ideal for sand sailing and horse racing.
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- The Hermelles bank
A sand reef made by little marine worms : The Hermelles. These work every day to maintain their habitat which consists of sand tubes (one hermelle per tube). appr 100 hectares in surface and 1,50 meter high.
Locally this reef is called "The Crassier". it is one of the most beautiful jewels of the natural heritage of the bay of Mont saint Michel. (Best to be discovered with the "Maison de la Baie) in Vivier sur Mer. Its volunteers will also talk you about the seal colony in the bay as weel as about the many migrating birds.
- Le Champ Dolent.
It is the most important menhir in the area. Almost 10 meters high and 8.70 meters wide.There are many legends around the menhir, one of which is as follows :
When the devil saw that Saint Samson was building a cathedral, he grabbed a rock from Mont Dol and threw it towards the cathedral wanting to destroy it. He missed his target and the rock scraped to top part of one tower, still noticeable today : the rock hit the earth a few kilometers away : the menhir of Champ Dolent.
In reality, this menhir was erected by people of whom dont' know where they come from. Is it a gravestone ? is it a monument to remember a great victory ? Is it a primitive statue of a god ? There are so many things to be discovered of this civilisation.
- Les Herbus
Salt tolerant vegetation. The plants which form the herbus grow in the top part of the shore, and also create the shore. The herbus are also called "pre salted" and are grazed by sheep.
- Les Polders
A zone regained from the sea... A vaste area divided by dikes, canals and paths. Here corn and other cereals as well as market products are grown. A flat country, adorned by Mont Saint Michel and its bay.
- Le Mont Dol
"During nice weather, pupils were allowed to go out on thursday and sunday, We were often taken to Mont Dol... Focussing our eyes on the sea and marshes full of dragon flies.... The light of witches which today burns in our lamps.... Words of François René Chateaubriand who was himself a pupil of the college in Dol.
Spread over a long stretch of marshland, 65 meters high, Mont Dol, continues to surprise one with its mysterious and fascinating silhouette. Sometimes island, sometimes mountain, it holds a rich past within : settlements shrines and tools.
Since the beginning, since prehistoric times to now, Mont Dol has been known for its sacred relics.... Stones and other relics remind us of this... celts, romans and christians.... with the latter, the fight between the devil and archangel.
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