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Supertide of the century: Thousands of tourists descend on French city of Mont Saint-Michel to witness spectacular event cause by the solar eclipse
Tens of thousands of curious visitors have crowded historic Mont Saint-Michel and other beauty spots along the French coastline with the promise of a ‘tide of the century’. Anticipating a wall of water that could equal the height of a four-storey building, tourists and locals staked out positions today on the partially washed-out bridge leading to the picturesque landmark. They travelled to France’s northern coast for a milestone moment that could see the tide reach as high as 46ft thanks to the effects from yesterday’s spectacular solar eclipse.
+14 Tens of thousands of people are visiting the Atlantic coastline in France, including Mont Saint-Michel, for the 'supertide' Le Mont-Saint-Michel (pronounced: [lə mɔ̃ sɛ̃ mi.ʃɛl]; English:Saint Michael's Mount) is an island commune in Normandy, France. It is located approximately one kilometre (0.6 miles) off the country's northwestern coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. 100 hectares (247 acres) in size, the island has a population of 44 (2009).[1] The island has held strategic fortifications since ancient times, and since the eighth century AD has been the seat of themonastery from which it draws its name. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below this, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, fishermen's and farmers' housing. Its unique position of being an island only 600 metres from land made it readily accessible on low tide to the many pilgrims to itsabbey. Equally, this position made it readily defensible as an incoming tide stranded, or drowned, would-be assailants. By capitalising on this natural defence, the Mont remained unconquered during the Hundred Years' War with a small garrison successfully defending it against a full attack by the English in 1433.[2] The reverse benefits of its natural defence were not lost on Louis XI, who turned the Mont into a prison. Thereafter the abbey began to be used more regularly as a jail during the Ancien Régime. One of France's most recognisable landmarks, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are part of the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites[3] and more than 3 million people visit it each year
+14 French officials said the supertide would be a major opportunity for tourism in Brittany, including the walled port city of Saint-Malo
+14 Large waves crash over the crowded waterfront - leaving spectators soaking wet - during the incoming tide in Saint-Malo, France
+14 Visitors staked out positions on the causeway leading to the rocky island in anticipation of a wall of water that is expected to reach 46ft
+14 Experts said the wall of water could equal the height of a four-storey building and 'will come in faster than a running man' Incredible photos snapped from the air show Mont Saint-Michel, an 11th century abbey located off France’s Normandy coast, cut off from the mainland as it was surrounded by water in the English Channel. Perched on a rocky island, the Unesco World Heritage Site is exposed to some of Europe’s strongest tides and attracts an estimated two million visitors a year. In Saint-Malo, France, spectators were soaked by large waves which crashed over the crowded waterfront. Although it is dubbed the ‘tide of the century’, the ‘supertide’ phenomenon occurs once every 18 years when the sun, moon and Earth align and the gravitational pull creates a massive rise in ocean levels.
+14 Incredible aerial photos show the picturesque landmark, about half a mile off the coast of Normandy, cut off from the mainland
+14 Experts said the last 'tide of the century' occurred on March 10, 1997 and people will have to wait until March 2033 for the next one
+14 The ‘supertide’ phenomenon occurs once every 18 years when the sun, moon and Earth align and the gravitational pull boosts water levels
+14 France kicked off nearly a month of exceptionally large spring tides, as people flocked to coastal areas for the so-called 'tide of the century' While it is a massive tourist draw the exceptionally high spring tide is causing some anxious moments for people who live near the sea. Parts of the coast are on high alert and people have been urged not to venture out too far. Officials at France's Navy Oceanic and Hydrological Service (SHOM) have warned that the tide ‘will come in faster than a running man’.
+14 The phenomenon drew French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (left) and Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius to Mont Saint-Michel
+14 While it is a massive tourist draw the exceptionally high spring tide is causing some anxious moments for people who live near the sea
+14 Parts of the coast are on high alert and France's Navy Oceanic and Hydrological Service has urged people not to venture out too far
+14 People gaze into the sky and shield their eyes as a solar eclipse begins over the Eden Project near St Austell in Cornwall, England
+14 Students from St Ursula's school gather at Greenwich Observatory to view the first solar eclipse in the UK for 15 years Michael Dodds, director of the regional tourism committee, said: 'This natural phenomenon is an incredible opportunity for tourism in Brittany at this time of year.' Similar tides are expected along the coasts of Britain, the Netherlands and Canada this weekend. The last 'tide of the century' occurred on March 10, 1997 and the next will take place in March 2033.
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