Thousands flock to see high tide

TENS of thousands of sightseers headed to the Atlantic and Normandy coasts this weekend to see the highest tide in 18 years - which completely turned the Mont Saint Michel into an island again.

Management at the Mont claimed an "absolute record in visitor numbers" with an estimated 30,000 people watching hide tide at 20.07 last night - with hotels across the region fully booked.

Another 20,000 flocked to the bay of Saint-Malo to watch from there, where one person fishing molluscs on the shore died when he was swept away by the strong tide. His body was recovered by helicopter.

Another fisherman died in the Gironde in similar circumstances. In total, 15 people had to be rescued from the beaches of Brittany when they were caught out by rising tides.

The next exceptionally high tide is due on 3 March 2033.