"Wide (and short) beaches and tropical... " a Vauville Travel Page by Pavlik_NL

Vauville is situated along the West coast of the Cotentit peninsula of Normandie - France. These regions enjoy the most extreme sea climate in Europe, keeping the temperatures (almost) always above zero degrees Celsius as well as under 25 degrees Celsius. This leaves extremes out of the climate and make it possible for (sub)tropical plants to grow here - even though they normally do not grow in these Northern regions. The Channel area (both in Normandy as well as on the other side in England) is well known for this and many villages and towns have their tropical gardens, started as private gardens of collectors. Vauville is one of the most variable ones in Cotentin.

Here on the Westside of the Cotentin peninsula, tidal differences and currents within the sea/ocean reach extremes. Tidal difference tops over the ten meters between high and low tide, resulting in enormous wide beaches (in some places you have to walk more several kilometers to reach the waterline), yet a small strip of beach at high tide. With this, danger of being washed of the beach, also are extreme. Some say that the upcoming tide speeds over the sand comparable to a gallopping horse! We haven't witnessed that, though you have to keep walking to stay in front of the waterline.

Besides the tidal difference, the currents in front of the coast reach very high speeds as well and the Raz Blanchard is an infamous current that has wrecked already many mnay ships during the centuries. Sailing (as well as motor) boats go backwards, even when pushing full throttle! Along the coast there are several refugee ports for ships that get into trouble when this current snatches them.