Réserve naturelle régionale de L'Ilon, Regional nature reserve near Arles and Paradou, France
The réserve naturelle régionale de l'Ilon is an IUCN category IV protected area on the southern edge of the Alpilles, between Arles and Paradou in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, covering around 176 hectares (435 acres). The site brings together wetlands and seasonally flooded meadows, dry grasslands known as coussouls de Crau, and patches of old forest.
The land was farmed for centuries, mainly for hay and grazing, before the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region recognized its ecological value and designated it a regional nature reserve in 2012. The Conservatoire du Littoral then acquired the land in 2017, and a formal management plan was approved in 2019 to set long-term rules for conservation and public access.
The Ilon marshes are a place where traditional grazing practices from the region are still visible today, with farmers and herders using parts of the land in ways that support the natural balance. Visitors can observe firsthand how small-scale farming and conservation work side by side in the same space.
Paths and boardwalks let visitors explore parts of the site on foot without disturbing the most sensitive areas. Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to visit, as birds and other wildlife tend to be most active at those hours.
More than 50 species of dragonflies have been recorded in the Ilon wetlands, a number that points to the health of the water in this small area. The European beaver also lives here, a species that had disappeared from the region for a long time before returning as water conditions improved.
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