Sand dune

Rising tides and sand dune erosion threaten French D-Day museum

The building on the Normandy landings site is at risk if local authorities are refused permission to keep adding sand to the dunes

Rain and wind to dust France with Saharan desert sand

The annual phenomenon has been especially noticeable this year, with more Saharan sand set to arrive today carried by wind and rain

French scientists call for samples of Sahara sand in snow

Researchers in Toulouse and Grenoble have already received samples of snow flecked with Saharan sand, as part of their studies

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Iron Age farmers’ saltmill found on Dune de Pilat

Iron Age farmers lived on Europe’s highest sand dune, Dune de Pilat in Gironde, and heated seawater there to get salt, archaeologists have found.

Major plans for shifting sands

At the surfer’s paradise of Lacanau (Gironde), experts predict that the coastline will retreat 65 metres by 2040 and 165 metres by 2100 due to erosion – and local authorities have identified two possible remedies to protect the town.

Dune du Pilat grows 1.3m in a year

Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat at Arcachon, Gironde, has grown 1.3m in the last year to reach 110.5m due to wind movement.

Sand dune

Rising tides and sand dune erosion threaten French D-Day museum

Rain and wind to dust France with Saharan desert sand

French scientists call for samples of Sahara sand in snow

Iron Age farmers’ saltmill found on Dune de Pilat

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Major plans for shifting sands

Dune du Pilat grows 1.3m in a year