Pornic

This old harbor on the western coast of the Loire Valley in France goes through a startling transformation each day.

Owing to its northern location, the tides are particularly strong. At low tide, which was how my family and I first found it, all boats sit on mud and there is no water to be found. Obviously, no traffic comes into or out of the harbor. At high tide, it is returned to the image you see here, and the boats that have waited patiently either to leave or enter can do so.