This is the place that witnesses the highest tidal waves in Europe, typically lasting for half a year from March to September.
The place that experiences the highest tidal waves in Europe is the town of Saint-Malo (France). Founded in the 1st century BC, it was once known as Reginca.
The ancient town of Saint-Malo is the site of the strongest tidal waves in Europe.
As a city in the Brittany region, it was established by the Gauls in the 1st century BC and boasts famous architecture with its peaceful streets, charming small houses, and impressive medieval fortifications. Additionally, its unique geographical position provides visitors with a pleasant, relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.
Essentially, the town remained uninhabited until around the 8th century when residents began to arrive. The 17th and 18th centuries marked a golden age for Saint-Malo as this small town became France’s leading port.
Today, Saint-Malo is better known for its spectacular high tides. The most intense tidal waves occur from March to September each year, with the waves being the most ferocious during this period.
Close-up of tidal waves reaching up to 13m hitting directly against the rooftops.
During this time, every six hours, the sea swells and recedes due to the combined gravitational forces of the moon and the sun. The beaches and the rocky coasts of Brittany are continuously covered by the dancing waves.
If lucky, visitors might witness tidal waves as high as 13m crashing directly onto the rooftops of nearby three-story buildings.
Visitors walking on the wave protection dike.
The reason the tides here are so powerful is that the town is located at the mouth of the Rance River, flowing into the English Channel. Strong waves continuously crash against the ancient granite dikes.
The sea in this region is characterized by constantly fluctuating currents, combined with strong tidal activity, so the locals are accustomed to the high waves crashing against the shore. Instead of worrying, they optimistically joke that it is a “warm kiss” between the sea and the land.
It is known that the ancient wave protection system has become a symbol of Saint-Malo. The system consists of over 3,000 wooden posts, each 3m high, built since the 17th century. After nearly 300 years submerged in seawater and continuously battered by waves, the wooden posts remain in good condition.
During high tide, warning signs are posted everywhere. Visitors are always advised to limit walking along the coastline to avoid potential risks.
This ancient town is also famous for its seawater-soaked wine, considered “deliciously renowned.”
However, the tidal phenomenon is not the only impressive aspect that attracts visitors to this small town. It is regarded as the strangest town in France, known for wine stored at the bottom of the sea. This wine is aged underwater for at least 12 months, giving it a distinct salty flavor.
In the early 2000s, Mr. Yannick Heude, the owner of the wine shop Cave de l’Abbaye St-Jean in Saint-Malo, had a crazy idea to age wine directly under the sea.
He believed that the underwater temperature was perfect for aging wine, mirroring the conditions of a traditional wine cellar. To start his idea, Heude began soaking bottles of wine underwater to help customers celebrate their children’s birthdays.
After several years, aging wine underwater has become a special tradition in the region, continuing to attract large numbers of tourists. Typically, this wine aging ceremony occurs every June and is called “L’immersion des vins en baie de St Malo.”
Bottles of wine are retrieved, dated, and sold at wine shops in Saint-Malo.
On that day, about 700 bottles of wine will be stacked together, including varieties such as Syrah red, Saumur Champigny, and Vouvray, submerged 15m underwater. At the same time, bottles that were placed underwater the previous year are retrieved for visitors and locals to enjoy at the harbor.
