Natura 2000 protected siteThe Grand Radeau / Brasinvert site stretches along the sea and the banks of the Petit Rhône, to the west of the commune of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Included in the Camargue Regional Natural Park and the Camargue Biosphere Reserve, this remarkable natural area features a variety of landscapes: maritime shores, dune ridges, pine forests, salt marshes, and sansouïres (salt-tolerant coastal meadows). It is also part of the European Natura 2000 network.
On the right bank of the Petit Rhône, Grand Radeau / Brasinvert is separated from the village center by the river’s mouth. This location makes it a unique area where the main activity is extensive breeding of Camargue bulls and horse riding tours to explore the site. Hunting is practiced on the communal plot, and the entire site is subject to regulated tourist visits.
Furthermore, the site is subject to significant erosion: in the 1980s, this led to the installation of several hard coastal defenses along this sandy shore (groynes, rock-armored dikes), which today are deteriorating and increasingly vulnerable to the sea’s assaults.
Focus on the site
Location: Bouches-du-Rhône Department
Site type: Estuary, Mediterranean lagoon and dune ridge, marsh
Area: 450 ha owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral and 600 ha owned by the municipality
Key feature: Presence of hard structures (groynes, rock-armored dikes) that are gradually deteriorating
Main challenges: The project’s goal is to best support the evolution of biodiversity, activities, and uses on the site.
Main actions: Study the feasibility of implementing nature-based solutions to support the agricultural sector and anticipate its strategic retreat; engage the local population by working on the memory of the place, related perceptions, and the issue of risk. It will also involve creating an observatory to monitor site dynamics related to erosion, flooding, marine incursion, and changes in salinity.
Fauna and flora
It is possible to observe a remarkable assemblage of macrophytes including Althenia filiformis and Tolypella salina. The site also hosts breeding birds characteristic of the Camargue: Stone-curlew, Kentish plover, Spectacled warbler, Skylark, and Tree pipit. The Icard pond is an important site for the wintering of several species of ducks and geese.
Local partners:
