Réserve naturelle régionale Confluence Garonne-Ariège, Regional nature reserve in southern Toulouse metropolitan area, France
The Réserve naturelle régionale Confluence Garonne-Ariège is a protected area where two major rivers meet, spanning woodlands, wetlands, riverside cliffs, and farming areas across multiple small towns. The varied landscape includes open grasslands and wooded sections that visitors can explore on established paths.
The area was previously used for gravel extraction through the 20th century before becoming a legally protected reserve in 2015. Local community efforts led to this transformation, turning an industrial site into a place for nature recovery.
The two rivers that meet here shape how locals and visitors experience the landscape, with their banks and waterside areas being important gathering spaces. This convergence creates a sense of place that connects the urban surroundings to natural water systems.
Stay on marked paths and keep dogs leashed to protect wildlife and vegetation throughout the reserve. Wear suitable footwear as ground conditions vary, especially near water areas and after rain.
The reserve hosts hundreds of species of moss, lichen, and fungi that many visitors pass by without noticing. These small organisms are crucial to the ecosystem and attract scientists who study how nature recovers in restored areas.
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