They du Mazet, the Rhône estuary

10 points of interest

• 

  Flora

  The dune cord

  The dunes are the result of rearrangements following the creation of the Saint-Antoine canal. The sandy substrate more or less coarse is a set constantly remodeled by winds and spray, experiencing a severe drought. This typical Mediterranean habitat is populated by characteristic and fragile species that must be protected. L’Immortelle des Sables is very present on the dunes of Mazet, it owes its name to the exceptional longevity of its flowers.

  read more
• 

  Water and rivers

  The Saint-Antoine canal

  Sea trades have always been an important sector for the development of Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. The area around the canal, locally known as the "new canal", has recently been developed to favor the establishment of businesses oriented towards the maritime sector. At the edge of this canal, we find a booming recreational sector, a shellfish farming sector (mussel and oyster farming) and a fishing and seafood processing sector.

  read more
• 

  Flora

  The sansouire

  The sansouire is characterized by the high salt content of a non-irrigated soil whose silt is bleached by the rise of salt. Only halophilic plants resist: salicornia, saladella, Obione and soda. The combustion of soda produces crystals formerly used for the manufacture of Marseille soaps or in the manufacture of glass. From the 13th to the 19th century, this plant is harvested and marketed by Camarguais, then it is replaced by chemical soda.

  read more
• 

  Fauna

  The Redshank, a species in danger

  This elegant wading bird is easily recognizable by its average size (25 cm). This bird has long legs and a bright orange bill, the brown colour of its plumage reveals a white area on the back. His flute song is bi-syballic. The theys of Mazet and Levant welcome each year several couples; the first arrives in March. The period extends until the month of July. The nests are very discreet, hidden on the ground or in the dense clumps of the salicorne.

  read more
• 

  Water and rivers

  The Mazet coastline

  The Mazet coastline is part of the Carteau cove, which is characterized by a shallow water depth and regular freshwater inputs from the Rhone, suitable for a wide variety of plant and animal species. The pink flamingo and many waders feed on the micro-fauna buried in the ground. Its muddy bottoms host varied seashells and the waters a great diversity of fish such as gilthead sea bream. This beach is very popular with fishermen.

  read more
• 

  Fauna

  The Mazet fauna

  Several species benefit from the Mazet spaces The Garenne rabbit is a small twilit and nocturnal rodent that lives in colonies in burrows, galleries dug in the sandy soil (garennes). The nutria is a rodent of 6 kg on average who lives in the roubines (small canals). The fox is a en easy going predator that feeds on birds and small mammals. One can easily spot the traces of plowing from wild boar that he makes with his snout to eat.

  read more
• 

  Water and rivers

  The industrial interface

  The industrial-port area, built in the 1970s, is a vast site of almost 10,000 ha. This strategic location is explained by the presence of the sea and sandy bottoms facilitating the development in favor of navigation. Natural spaces remain and it is important to protect them. The they of the Mazet is a witness of the changes to the Rhone estuary in the course of time. This sandy formation modeled by the sea and the river is regularly submerged.

  read more
• 

  Fauna

  The pink flamingo

  Emblem of the Camargue, the pink flamingo owes its colour partly to the carotene pigments contained in its food (crustaceans, algae and invertebrates). This species moves around the Mediterranean but it is in the Camargue that there is the largest population, single reproduction island. In the spring, they nest in the colony, the male and the female incubate in turn the only egg deposited in a mud nest. Gray at birth, he will fly when he is around 10 weeks old and will turn pink around 3 years old.

  read more
• 

  Water and rivers

  The Grand-Rhône estuary

  Over the centuries, the formation of the Rhone delta has shaped he aspect of its estuary. The strong floods of 1711 created the current bed of the Rhone River. The current estuary is the widest of the last two Rhone estuary, which counted up to seven! The Rhone estuary is accessible from the Napoléon beach by walking towards the north-west (2h).

  read more
• 

  Water and rivers

  The theys of the mouth of the Rhone

  A they is a sandy formation modeled by the sea and the river. Around the Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone, the theys have gradually become interconnected. They are called ships or captains. The They du Mazet, acquired by the Conservatoire du littoral since 1980 is a feeding, resting and breeding area for many birds and an abundant and original flora. They of the Gracieuse mark the entrance of the Cove of Carteau and that of Roustan leads to the Napoleon beach.

  read more