Web app lets French homeowners check effect of coastal erosion where they live
By 2050 approximately 5,200 homes could be impacted by coastal erosion in part due to climate change
The tool covers more than 1,000 coastal municipalities
Le littoral de ma commune and Mazur Travel/Shutterstock
The government has launched a new online tool allowing people with homes in coastal areas of France to see how coastal erosion is affecting their commune.
Behind the initiative is the fact that around 20% of France’s coastline is already affected by coastal erosion, and that by 2050 approximately 5,200 homes could be impacted by the effects of rising sea levels due to climate change.
Coastal erosion is a natural process in which the boundary between land and sea gradually shifts inland, but climate change is accelerating the phenomenon.
The new web application called Le littoral de ma commune (my commune's coastline) allows users to select their commune and access detailed information on how its coastline is evolving and the pressures it faces, including where these changes are occurring.
Each commune profile provides key background data, such as the length of the coastline, population, and the physical nature of the shore (for example whether it is sandy, rocky, made up of dunes, or has been highly developed). These characteristics help explain why some areas are more vulnerable than others.
One of the main features it includes is a visual comparison of coastline change over time, using aerial photographs from the 1950s alongside recent images. This allows users to see how the shoreline has shifted over several decades.
The application also shows how land is used along the coast, including housing, tourism, agriculture and protected natural areas. It breaks down housing into primary residences, secondary homes and vacant properties, helping to identify what and who is exposed to the increasing risk of coastal erosion.
Users can also view areas managed by the Conservatoire du littoral, the public agency responsible for protecting sensitive coastal sites.
In addition, the tool presents future climate projections, particularly sea-level rise. Based on climate change scenarios, it shows expected increases over coming decades and highlights areas that could become more vulnerable to flooding or submersion.
Finally, it outlines adaptation strategies, ranging from nature-based solutions such as dune restoration and wetland protection to longer-term planning approaches, including the possible relocation of infrastructure in high-risk zones.
The tool currently covers more than 1,000 coastal municipalities and is designed primarily for desktop use and can be found here.
