Mesnil-Val

19.6°C Water temp · Sep 11

France Coastal 2 - Good 19.6°C

Satellite image of MESNIL-VAL — 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 metres in total with a monitored bathing zone of 215 metres long and 60 metres wide at high tide, composed of pebbles with underlying sand visible at low tide. Mesnil-Val extends 150 metres in length and 60 metres in width, also pebble-based with underlying sand. Both beaches have an average of 70–100 swimmers per day and are situated at the foot of cliffs overlooking the area.

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Water

Coastal bathing water bodies composed of pebbles derived from cliff erosion, with underlying sand appearing at low tide during high tidal coefficients. Both beaches have clear water conditions. Criel-plage has an immediate watershed area of 25.8 square kilometres. Mesnil-Val has an immediate watershed area of 9.16 square kilometres.

Location

Criel-plage is situated at the foot of the town, north of the Yères river outfall (latitude 50°2'7.6"N, longitude 1°18'53.87"E). Mesnil-Val is located at the foot of the cliff and drains the plateau with the hamlet of Mesnil-Val (latitude 50°2'43.4"N, longitude 1°19'41.98"E). Parking and facilities are available at both locations.

Facilities

Both beaches have lifeguard supervision daily from 11:00 to 19:00 during the school holidays for 7 weeks in July and August. Equipped facilities include sports courts (volleyball, basketball), nautical clubs (sailing), toilets, showers, and disabled access. Mesnil-Val has a camping site located upstream of the beach.

Season

Bathing is monitored from June to September each year. Lifeguard supervision operates daily from 11:00 to 19:00 during the school holiday period of 7 weeks in July and August.

Water Quality

Criel-plage has maintained a 'Good' water quality classification consistently from 2013 to 2018, showing improvement from a 'Sufficient' simulated classification during 2006–2010. Mesnil-Val was classified as 'Excellent' in 2010–2013, then fluctuated between 'Good' and 'Sufficient', with a 'Sufficient' classification in 2013–2016 before returning to 'Good' in 2014–2017 and 2015–2018. Water quality is evaluated annually from June to September by the ARS based on Enterococcus and Escherichia coli sampling.

Risks

Both beaches are subject to influence from treated wastewater discharge from treatment stations and storm water runoff from their respective watersheds. Mesnil-Val experienced a degradation in water quality to 'Sufficient' classification in 2013–2016. Shellfish beds (moulières) are present at both locations and are monitored separately.