They du Mazet, the Rhône estuary
Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
They du Mazet, the Rhône estuary
Easy
Difficulty2h30
Duration4,7km
Distance+4m
Positive Elevation-4m
Negative ElevationAller-retour
Course typeEmbed this item to access it offline
In the direction of the Napoléon beach, discover the they du Mazet, a sandy formation modelled by the sea and the river. The round trip on the trail of the they du Mazet allows you to enjoy the typical landscapes of the Camargue and the wildlife that lives there ! You will stroll along the sansouires while being able to see pink flamingos or herons. A feeding, resting and breeding area for many birds, the they du Mazet is home to exceptional wildlife !
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Description
On the Route de la Plage Napoléon, start hiking to the Conservatoire du Littoral sign : " Theys de l'embouchure du Rhône". Continue the sandy path for more than 400 m.
1 - After passing the "cordon dunaire" sign, at the bend, turn right to go to the "Le canal de Saint-Antoine" sign. Then follow the red arrows that lead to the sign "La Faune du Mazet" and continue to the next sign "Le Chevalier Gambette : une espèce en danger ". Continue to the gateway. After the gateway, follow the path to the next gateway.
2 - At the second gateway, turn around and take the path in the opposite direction to return to the starting point.
1 - After passing the "cordon dunaire" sign, at the bend, turn right to go to the "Le canal de Saint-Antoine" sign. Then follow the red arrows that lead to the sign "La Faune du Mazet" and continue to the next sign "Le Chevalier Gambette : une espèce en danger ". Continue to the gateway. After the gateway, follow the path to the next gateway.
2 - At the second gateway, turn around and take the path in the opposite direction to return to the starting point.
Departure : Route de la Plage Napoléon, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Arrival : Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Towns crossed : Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Respect the footpath so as not to trample the vegetation.
Respect the surrounding animals.
Discovery trail with landscape reading boards.
Circuit not recommended in rainy weather.
Respect the surrounding animals.
Discovery trail with landscape reading boards.
Circuit not recommended in rainy weather.
Information desks
Domaine de La Palissade
BP 5, 13129 Salin-de-Giraud
http://www.palissade.fr/
palissade@parc-camargue.fr
+33 (0)4 42 86 81 28
Find out more
OT Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
Tour Saint Louis - Quai Bonnardel, 13230 Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
http://www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr/
contact@portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr
04 42 86 01 21
Find out more
Transport
Envia transport network : 40 km south of Arles, by the D35. www.pacamobilite.fr; www.lepilote.com
Access and parking
40 km south of Arles, by the D35.
Parking :
Le long de la route de la plage Napoléon, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône
More information
Report a problem or an error
If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: