Can you see france from plymouth

From Polruan to Bretagne is at least km. In exceptionally good weather, you can see the Cliffs of Dover from Calais. The opposite is not true due to the curvature of the earth; max visibility is 21 miles, but the Cliffs do stick up a bit. From Polruan in Cornwall, all you can see is Salcombe, which is However, unless it is a crucial plot point, it seems more likely a character in your book is using a common expression: "On a clear day, you can see France.

From the top of a cliff, yes, depending on the height of said cliff. The horizon line is 25 miles out at sea if you are 6-foot tall standing at sea level, it's miles km out if you're on a 10, foot 3,m high mountain.

Anything higher than sea level on the other side would be visible from a shorter height. Anecdotal reference: on a clear morning you can easily see the mountains of Corsica from hilltops on the French Riviera. The northern coast of Corsica is about km away, and that's looking roughly the same direction southeast as from Polruan to Brittany.

Plymouth to Roscoff is six hours on the ferry - not exactly the same vantage point but close enough that I'd be really surprised if it was anything other than poetic license.

Response by poster: Dover is nowhere near Cornwall, folks, get out your maps. I knew you could see France from there. Darlingbri, it is a sort of plot point, not a vague expression. Fraula, my father lives near Nice and has claimed the same about seeing Corsica. I found a cool tool that calculates "as the crow flies" distances. Huh - is that a common expression? This is the first time I've ever heard it, except as a literal description of places where you actually can see France on a clear day British, 42, lived in England and Scotland.

The path of light is bent by the atmosphere, so straight-line geometry is not completely accurate. The amount of bending is mostly due to the differences in pressure, and pressure is determined by altitude and temperature. If there are layers of air at different temperatures, this can cause mirage effects.

There is one such effect that makes distant shores appear higher than they actually are. I don't remember if it's cold water causing a layer of cold air under warm air, or the opposite, warm water causing a warm layer under cold air. Anyway, my point is that there can be unusual viewing conditions. The best route for visiting Brittany from South West England. One or two sailings departing each day, often overnight sailings. Get from Plymouth to Roscoff in hours.

Day trips, short breaks and a wide choice of holidays also available. A charming port and the perfect starting point for holidays in Brittany.

Roscoff to Plymouth. Get all the information you need to know for your journey planning and booking. A choice of routes to France and Spain that save you miles of driving and award-winning on board service ensuring you are on holiday from the moment you drive aboard. Ticket types that let you choose the level of flexibility needed when planning future travel. A 12 point guide that outlines the measures and procedures taken to protect all on board. Taking your own car offers the freedom and reassurance you need throughout your holiday.

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