Réserve naturelle régionale du Pourra - Domaine du Ranquet, Regional nature reserve near Port-de-Bouc and Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, France
The réserve naturelle régionale du Pourra - Domaine du Ranquet is a protected area near Port-de-Bouc and Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It covers two ponds, the Étang du Pourra and the Étang de Citis, along with the surrounding Domaine du Ranquet, which includes meadows, marshes, cultivated fields, and patches of pine and oak forest.
Before it was protected, the land was used for farming and grazing, which shaped much of its current open landscape. The reserve was officially established in March 2020, when it was recognized as a regional nature reserve to safeguard these habitats in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
The reserve sits between industrial zones and small towns, making the contrast between nature and human activity immediately noticeable. Birdwatchers from across the region come here regularly, drawn by the variety of water birds that gather along the pond shores.
The paths through the reserve are mostly flat, but the ground can be soft near the wet areas, so sturdy footwear is a good idea. There are no shops or cafés inside, so bring water and a snack, especially if you plan to spend a few hours exploring.
The Étang du Pourra was not formed by a river but by the wind, which piled up sand and sediment over thousands of years to create a natural barrier that trapped the water. This makes it a rare example of a wind-formed coastal lagoon in the Mediterranean.
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