Overview

• Météo‑France forecasts 4–5 m waves along Atlantic and Channel inlets and has placed six departments on yellow ‘vague‑submersion’ vigilance: Côtes‑d’Armor, Finistère, Charente‑Maritime, Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées‑Atlantiques.
• Observed heights topped 6 m offshore Finistère, with significant coastal readings of 4.7 m at Noirmoutier, 4.1 m at Cap Ferret and 3 m at Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz.
• Municipalities enacted bans and closures, including red flags in Biarritz, bathing restrictions in Lacanau and Biscarrosse, and an afternoon evacuation of Biarritz’s main beach and promenade.
• Authorities cite a maximal risk from dangerous baïnes rip currents and urge the public to follow lifeguard instructions; sea‑rescue emergencies should be reported by dialing 196.
• Coastal managers report preventive measures and limited material damage—sandbagging in Biarritz, infrastructure removed at the Banc d’Arguin, yachts driven ashore at Belle‑Île with no injuries—while specialists flag a medium erosion risk in exposed sectors; conditions are expected to ease after Wednesday with the swell possibly lingering toward Friday.