La Porte d'Enfer

The imposing cliffs of the north eastern coast of Grand Terre have been carved by the unrelenting wind and waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The limestone admirably withstands the crashing waves save one particular spot: Hell's Gate.

Above, the mouth of La Porte d’Enfer.

Here, the Atlantic has managed to find a weak spot, carving out a wide-mouthed fjord. The waves crash into the fjord, pushing the water into the interior, tumbling over rocks and licking the shores of both sides. The water calms by the time it reaches the very end of the fjord, the Atlantic having lost its force to become gentle ripples that caress the white sand beach.

Above, the ocean water cuts a winding path through solid rock, ending at a small protected beach.

La Porte d'Enfer pleased me immeasurably. I felt as if I were witnessing the timeless battle between water and rock. Only here, the battle takes on enormous proportions, two titans fighting to the death before my very eyes. The way in which the ferocity of the Atlantic is controlled and tamed by the limestone walls is impressive. The race of water is absolutely mesmerizing.
Left, along the shore, traces of the rock's former life as coral reef.

There were sheltered picnic tables at the beach, and a absolutely illegal (1) informal restaurant has been set up along side the road. I would have loved to stay, to see La Porte through the different hours of the day. But we had come unprepared, and so we drove to Anse Bertrand and ate at La Case à Fernand.


(1) See Loi Littoral in this post.