La Porte Des Iles

21.1°C Water temp · Jul 22

France Coastal 1 - Excellent 21.1°C

Satellite image of LA PORTE DES ILES — Satellite image © Esri

La Tranche-sur-Mer is a coastal commune in southern Vendée, France, extending over 17.63 km² with a population of 2,540 residents that swells to approximately 100,000 during summer season. The 13 km of shoreline comprises multiple bathing zones with diverse water-based activities including swimming, water sports, shellfish farming, and recreational fishing. The area encompasses two main watersheds: the interior Lay watershed and the coastal littoral basin, with varying hydrological characteristics and management systems.

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Water

Coastal bathing zone along the Atlantic coast spanning 13 km of shoreline. The area includes multiple beach types with varying substrates. Two principal watersheds drain into the bathing waters: the Lay watershed (1,977 km² total area) and the littoral coastal basin. Shellfish farming installations occupy the eastern coastal sector, including oyster cultivation over approximately 100 hectares and approximately 36 km of mussel bouchot lines.

Location

La Tranche-sur-Mer is situated on the South Vendée coast, approximately 45 km from Les Sables d'Olonne. The town center is equipped with a stormwater network with outlets toward the beach.

Water Quality

Water quality monitoring was conducted according to European Directive 2006/7/CE. Shellfish classification schemes apply to the area: Class A zones permit unrestricted recreational shellfish gathering (E. coli <230 per 100g), Class B zones permit gathering with health warnings (E. coli <4,600), Class C zones prohibit recreational gathering due to contamination, and Class D zones prohibit gathering entirely. Non-filter-feeding bivalves are classified as Category A. Stormwater quality issues were identified, with analysis of correlations between water quality and rainfall, tidal coefficients, and wind conditions.

Risks

Stormwater pollution from the urban center network and potential discharge contamination are documented pollution sources. Correlations exist between bathing water quality and rainfall, tidal height, tidal coefficients, and wind conditions. Sewage network vulnerabilities and stormwater discharge points present potential microbiological contamination risks.