Crau, Protected steppe plain near Arles, France
The Crau plain extends over 52,000 hectares between Arles, Salon-de-Provence, and the Gulf of Fos, forming a triangular alluvial landscape covered with pebbles.
The Crau plain served as an ancient confluence of the Durance and Rhône rivers, creating a vast alluvial fan that Greek geographer Strabo described.
The northern section produces certified Crau hay through traditional irrigation methods established in the 16th century through the Craponne canal system.
The nature reserve encompasses 7,452 hectares of protected land where visitors can observe native species like pin-tailed sandgrouse and lesser kestrels.
The dry Crau represents Western Europe's last remaining steppe habitat with 11,500 hectares of intact grassland supporting 100,000 grazing sheep.
Location: Saint-Martin-de-Crau
Location: Arles
Location: Salon-de-Provence
Location: Miramas
Location: Istres
Location: Fos-sur-Mer
Website: http://reserve-crau.org
GPS coordinates: 43.57081,4.85441
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:39
Réserve naturelle nationale des Coussouls de Crau
2.2 km
Réserve naturelle nationale des marais du Vigueirat
9 km
Plage de la Romaniquette
13.6 km
Oppidum du Castellan
12.5 km
Église Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir
12.5 km
Église de Saint-Martin-de-Crau
8.3 km
Château de l'Armellière
14.2 km
Porte d'Arles
12.4 km
Borne milliaire de la Calanque
13.3 km
Église Saint-Léger de Saint-Chamas
14.7 km
Réserve naturelle régionale de la Poitevine-Regarde-Venir
14.5 km
Réserve naturelle régionale de L'Ilon
15.1 km
Le Bayle-Vert
14.5 km
Chapelle Saint-Julien de Miramas
13.8 km
Golf Club de Miramas
13.5 km
Saint Joseph and the Child
13.2 km
Chapelle Saint-Sulpice d'Istres
12.2 km
Chapelle d'Entressen
6.7 km
Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Mouriès
13.2 km
Golf de Saint Martin de Crau
8.8 km
Town hall of Saint-Martin-de-Crau
8.3 km
Arboretum le Jardin de Gaston
7.9 km
Centre de développement culturel
8.3 km
Église Saint-Genès de Raphèle-lès-Arles
14.2 km
Église de la Nativité-de-la-Vierge du Sambuc
12.3 km
Town hall of Fos-sur-Mer
14.8 km
City walls of Fos-sur-Mer
14.1 km
War memorial in Saint-Martin-de-Crau
8.3 kmReviews
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