Tide Times in Brittany

Brittany, with its 2,700 km of coastline, has the longest shoreline in mainland France and is home to the largest tides in Europe. From the Pointe du Raz to the ramparts of Saint-Malo, the tidal range can reach 14 metres in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel — an extraordinary natural phenomenon found nowhere else on the continent.

Brittany's tidal pattern is semi-diurnal: two high tides and two low tides each day, shifting 50 minutes later every 24 hours. Coefficients range from 20 (neap tides) to 120 (exceptional spring tides), dramatically reshaping the coastal landscape. During spring tides, the foreshore can extend for several kilometres, revealing boulder fields, oyster beds, and seagrass meadows of remarkable ecological richness.

Brittany's four coastal departments — Finistère, Morbihan, Côtes-d'Armor and Ille-et-Vilaine — each display distinct tidal characteristics. Tidal currents can reach 8 knots in the Raz de Sein and the Fromveur Passage, making these waters among the most powerful in Europe for tidal energy. Whether you are planning a shore fishing trip, a coastal sail, or a walk on the foreshore, checking the tide times is essential for your safety.