Loire-Atlantique marks the transition between Brittany and Vendée, offering a varied coastline from La Baule to Pornic. The 4 to 5 metre tidal range sets the rhythm for seaside resorts, fishing ports, and the Loire estuary. The Bay of La Baule, one of the finest in Europe, transforms with each tide, revealing an immense sandy beach.
The Loire estuary is a major estuarine environment where the tide reaches as far as Nantes, creating complex currents and rich biodiversity. The Guérande salt marshes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, function thanks to the tidal rhythm that feeds the basins with seawater. La Turballe and Le Croisic are active fishing ports where tide times dictate departures.
