Etang de l'Olivier, Artificial pond in central Istres, France
The étang de l'Olivier is an artificial pond in the center of Istres, covering around 220 hectares and connected to the étang de Berre by a narrow canal. A footpath runs all the way around the water, bordered by reed beds and rocky cliffs known as the falaises de saffre.
The pond was originally used for salt harvesting before gradually becoming a freshwater body over the centuries through desalination. This change allowed a rich ecosystem to develop, with many species of fish and birds establishing themselves in and around the water.
Traditional Provençal jousting, a water sport where competitors on small boats try to knock each other into the water, takes place on the pond each summer. Local teams train here regularly, and competitions draw crowds from across the area between June and September.
The path around the pond is open to walkers and cyclists and is largely accessible for people with reduced mobility. The nearby Dinosaur'Istres park sits on a hill and may be harder to reach for some visitors, so it is worth checking access in advance.
A local legend tells of Lou Coulobre, a giant snake said to still live in the depths of the pond, and the story is still passed around among residents today. The water jet installed in 2008 at the anse du Castellan also serves a practical purpose beyond spectacle: it actively aerates the water to help maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
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