Passage du Gois: a magical crossing linking the island to the mainland

Over the centuries, their movements have deposited sand and silt on a shoal, gradually forming this 4.2-kilometre-long submersible causeway. This natural phenomenon, known as wantij, has given rise to a path that belongs neither entirely to the sea, nor entirely to the land. Its name, "Gois", comes from the old Vendéen patois goiser, meaning "to walk in water". And that's exactly what we do here: walk slowly, listening to the tides come and go.

A history shaped by the centuries

The Passage du Gois was first mentioned on a map in 1701, proving that man had used it early on to link Beauvoir-sur-Mer on the mainland with Barbâtre on theisland of Noirmoutier.

In the XVIIIᵉ century, it was still little more than an unstable sandbank, marked out with wooden stakes that winter ice often swept away.

It was in the XIXᵉ century that the first stones were laid, then the roadway paved between 1935 and 1939, giving the Gois the solidity we know today.

Classified as a protected natural site in 1942, then recognized as a site of national heritage interest in 2017, the Gois bears witness to this intimate link between man and sea, between the fragility of the coastline and the force of time.

A crossing to the rhythm of the tides

Understanding the ballet of water

Twice a day, the sea covers the Passage du Gois before retreating again. This incessant to-and-fro creates one of the most fascinating natural spectacles on the Vendée coastline. To cross the Gois is to learn to deal with this marine rhythm, to listen to nature before venturing out. The road is only passable about 1h30 before and 1h30 after low tide: a time when the water level allows cars, bikes and walkers to pass safely.

When tidal coefficients are high (over 70), the sea retreats further and the crossing window widens. Conversely, during low tides, the passage is uncovered for less time.

Information boards at each end of the line, on the Beauvoir-sur-Mer and Barbâtre sides, remind visitors of the day's official opening times.

It's an essential rule here: before each crossing, we consult the tide tables and the weather forecast. Wind, fog or rapidly rising water can make the route dangerous.

The Passage du Gois is always crossed with humility, because it's the sea that decides when the path opens.

The landscape is completely transformed: the Gois becomes an underwater strip of light, crossed by reflections of the sky and passing fish.

The most magical moment? When the water mirror disappears to reveal the cobblestones. Children have fun walking barefoot on it, adults stop to photograph the reflections in the sky... and everything seems perfect!

A sensory experience for the whole family

Fishing on foot in Bourgneuf Bay

When the sea retreats, the Passage du Gois becomes a vast exploration ground. Families come here to fish on foot, a Vendée tradition that combines patience and observation. In the Bay of Bourgneuf, the sandy-muddy seabed is overflowing with treasures: clams, cockles, wild oysters and sometimes even a few shrimps, all discovered by gently digging into the sand.

Younger children marvel at the sight of the sea receding and the first shells appearing, while parents take full advantage of this shared moment of calm, their feet in the water and their gaze on the horizon.

Experienced fishermen know: caution is the watchword. The tide always comes in faster than you think. Check low tide times before venturing too far.

Observing coastal life

Around the Gois, nature expresses itself in all its richness. Marshes, channels and polders, fauna and flora evolve to the rhythm of the water. Families often come across egrets, grey herons and avocets feeding on the foreshore. Migratory birds find a special resting place here, making the Gois an exceptional observation spot for nature lovers.

The lights change every moment: in the morning, the sea reflects shades of silver and pale blue; at midday, the cobblestones warm gently under the sun; in the evening, the rising tide draws a golden mirror.

The wind carries the scent of seaweed and salt, the waves whisper on the stones: a living landscape in perpetual motion.

Walk, feel, slow down

On the Gois, you don't just cross a passage: you live a sensory experience. The feel of wet stone beneath your feet, the breath of the wind, the distant cry of seagulls - everything invites you to slow down and refocus.

Children marvel at a crab that escapes, a bird that flies away, a puddle that reflects the sky. Parents savor the slowness, the rare sensation of freedom and silence.

The Gois teaches patience andbalance: wait for the right moment to cross, move at your own pace, listen to the sea before setting off again.

Slow tourism on the Gois

On the Passage du Gois, nature sets the pace. Here, every moment reminds us that travel is not a destination, but a way of being in the world: slowing down, observing, breathing, sharing.

The art of taking your time

Watch for the tide and wait for the sea to slowly recede.
Watch the reflections on the water before the cobblestones reappear in the morning light.
Walk slowly, stopping often, watching the sea recede and then return.
Admire the pavement as it turns golden at sunrise, then pink before disappearing under the water.
To rediscover the magic of that moment when the sea gives way to the passage of time.

The pleasures of a day on the Gois

• Stroll along the quiet beaches of Barbâtre, your feet in the sand, watching the sea recede into the distance.
• Observe the fauna of the Bay of Bourgneuf, with its salt marshes, polders and migratory birds.
• Picnic by the water, on a patch of grass or a low wall, to the sound of the waves and the wind.
• Follow the dike by bike, to admire the view of the island and the changing landscapes of the Vendée coastline.
• Relax, breathe in the tranquil beauty of the coastline.
• Understand that the Gois is not just a road to take, but a space to live in.

An experience to share

• See the children follow the trail of the waves, pick up a shell or watch a crab escape into a puddle.
• Watching the parents savor the new-found slowness, carried by the silence, the wind and the light.
• Share a moment of conviviality and transmission around the tides, birds and the cycle of the seasons.
• Learn to listen to nature, understand the sea, marvel at the rhythm of the world.
• Experience the Gois as a symbol of slow tourism: a simple, conscious journey, rooted in reality and open to the beauty of nature.

Walking through the Passage du Gois means accepting to slow down, to let yourself be guided by the water, to feel the power of a place where everything seems both fragile and eternal. In Vendée, in the heart of the Bay of Bourgneuf, the Gois is a passageway to the essential: to nature, to slowness, to oneself.

And if the trip goes on, your Slow Village open-air hotel in Pornic welcomes you right next door. Ideal for continuing to live to the gentle rhythm of the sea and the seasons.