Swimming is a must during summer holidays, and the French coastline has no less than 1,900 kilometers of beaches! Something to have fun… when you know where to go, because not all beaches are equal in terms of health. You will also be interested[EN VIDÉO] Visualize the depths of lakes, seas and oceans in 3D 3D animation that allows you to compare the different depths of bodies of water on Earth. ©… Take a dip this summer, yes, but not just anywhere! In France, bathing places are checked: every year, during the bathing period, the Regional Health Agency analyzes samples taken from the most frequented places in bathing areas (whether they are equipped or not). ), or those most likely to be polluted. The two main parameters of measurement are Escherichia coli and enterococciIntestinal enterococci, bacteria that reside in the intestine and the feces of humans and other warm-blooded animals. Although they do not present an immediate danger, they “can indicate, by their presence, that of pathogenic pathogenic germs”, one reads on the site of the Ministry of Health. They must therefore remain below a threshold set by the French Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health SafetyFrench Agency for Environmental and Occupational Health Safety. Other parameters can be measured according to the profile of the place: acidity, cyanobacteria… The beaches are then classified according to four levels: “excellent”, “good”, “sufficient” or “insufficient” water quality. The main beaches to avoidThis year, six of the ten least healthy beaches are in Normandy: if you were planning to splash around in Coudeville-sur-Mer, Asnelles, Houlgate, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Saint-Côme-de-Fresné or Tracy- sur-Mer, it is better to move on. Brittany is also well represented in this sad ranking, since the beaches of Saint-Michel-en-Grève, Saint-Brieuc and Lanildut are to be avoided. Finally, the last beach where it is not recommended to spread out your towel is in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus, in New Aquitaine. If, despite everything, the idea of taking a dip in these municipalities still tempts you, rest assured: “insufficient” water quality does not necessarily lead to a swimming ban. This requires the zone to remain at this level for five consecutive years.