Passage du Gois


The Passage de Gois or Gôa is a natural, periodically flooded passage leading to the island of Noirmoutier in France. It is located between Île de Noirmoutier and Beauvoir-sur-Mer, in the department of Vendée. It is flooded twice a day by the high tide.
The track is long. Every year, a foot race – the Foulées du Gois – is held across it, starting at the onset of the high tide.

History

Passage du Gois was first mentioned in the 9th century.
In appeared on a map in 1701 and appeared as an official road in 1832.
In 1971 a bridge was build between the mainland and Noirmoutier: the Passage du Gois became a secondary road.

Tour de France

In 1999 Passage du Gois was used by Tour de France bicycle race during Stage 2. It proved to be decisive for the race after a fall took place because of its slippery surface. The crash created a six-minute split in the peloton which ended the hopes of many favourites to win the race, like Alex Zülle, who would eventually finish second overall, seven minutes after Lance Armstrong.
The Passage du Gois was used again in 2011 as the starting point of the first stage.