Criel-Plage

16.7°C Water temp · Jun 8

France Coastal 2 - Good 16.7°C

Satellite image of CRIEL-PLAGE — Satellite image © Esri

Criel-plage and Mesnil-Val are two bathing beaches located in Criel-sur-Mer on the Normandy coast. Criel-plage extends 450 meters in total length with a monitored swimming zone of 215 meters long and approximately 60 meters wide at high tide. Mesnil-Val extends 150 meters in length with a similar width of approximately 60 meters. Both beaches are composed of pebbles from cliff erosion with sand visible at low tide during large tidal coefficients. Average daily swimmers number approximately 100 at Criel-plage and 70 at Mesnil-Val.

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Water

Coastal marine water. Criel-plage monitored zone dimensions: 215 meters long by approximately 60 meters wide at high tide. Mesnil-Val dimensions: 150 meters long by approximately 60 meters wide. Pebble beaches with underlying sand layers.

Location

Criel-sur-Mer, northern France. Criel-plage is located at the foot of the town, north of the Yères river discharge. Mesnil-Val is located at the foot of the cliff and drains the plateau with the hamlet of Mesnil-Val. A camping site is located upstream of Mesnil-Val beach.

Facilities

Lifeguards present daily from 11:00 to 19:00 during 7-week swimming season in July and August corresponding to school holidays. Nautical clubs present at both beaches offering sailing activities. Sports facilities including volleyball and basketball courts. Cultural activities such as beach reading programs. Animal access restricted to beach extremities and must be kept on leash.

Season

Official monitoring and swimming season: July and August, 7 weeks corresponding to school holidays. Lifeguard supervision daily 11:00 to 19:00.

Water Quality

Criel-plage classified as good quality consistently from 2013 to 2018. Mesnil-Val classified as excellent (2010-2013), degrading to good quality (2011-2015, 2014-2017, 2015-2018), with a sufficient quality rating in 2013-2016. Water quality evaluation based on monitoring of enterococci and Escherichia coli conducted annually from June to September by health authorities.

Risks

Moulière (oyster bed) zones present at both beaches requiring separate quality assessment. Runoff and potential pollution sources from surrounding watershed identified including agricultural activities, urban areas, and wastewater treatment facilities.