Mouth
Development/ mouth
Do you know it? According to most sedimentologists, geologists and scientists, the Camargue delta would have formed about 5000 years. It is the result of the confluence of the Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea.
Port-Saint-Louis du Rhône is the last town at the mouth of the Rhône river. The Rhône delta formation has with the passing centuries continually shaped the aspect of its mouth.
You can access to the mouth from the Napoléon beach: When you get to the west side of the car parking, will you reach a rip-rap. The mouth is a 20 minutes walk from here, further in the west direction.
1771 major floods on the river have carved the actual bed. The town adapted to these conditions. Due to alluvial accumulation, just only small fishing boats can sail on the lower section of the Rhône. The canal Saint-Louis with its lock allows the passage of riverboats and seagoing boats. According to this specificity, Port-Saint-Louis du Rhône is a characteristic turn-up port. The surface area of the central basin is impressive.
A sea wall has been built in order to protect the town against flood risks. This sea wall is open to soft means of transportation. There are bikes and walk tours: get information about it.
Do you know it? The Rhône has among all rivers flowing out into the Mediterranean Sea the second flow rates.
You can cross the Rhône with the car-ferry of Barcarin, 7 kilometers away, north of Port-Saint-Louis du Rhône. This river crossing service exists since long before the Second World War. There were at this time wooden boats. The first chain ferry has been inaugurated in 1933.
The Rhône, fauna and flora
The environment of Port-Saint-Louis du Rhône is strongly marked by surrounding sea salt and fresh alluvial water from the Rhône. The landscapes come in a variety of fresh water canals and brackish water laguna, specific to this environment.
Halophilic plants (requiring a salty soil) such as sea lavender (also called « saladelle » in Camargue) and salicorna are dominant. We can also in the springtime list following plants such as blue globe thistle, tamarisk, daisy, wild zinerium, Phoenician juniper, narcissus and springs asphodel.
You can only find more lush vegetation on the river sides, also called: riparian forest, vegetable formation, herbaceous stratum in which the tree dominates (alders, poplars and willows).
Fresh water fishing
Fresh water fishing communal society
Management of second class fresh waters fishing areas.
Président : Jean-Paul GAY
Tél. 06 14 02 69 18.