Étang de Berre

Étang de Berre
source
Name	Étang de Berre
Caption	Aerial view of the Étang de Berre
Location	Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Type	Lagoon, Brackish water
Inflow	Arc, Touloubre, Canal de Marseille au Rhône
Outflow	Golfe de Fos
Cities	Martigues, Istres, Miramas, Berre-l'Étang

Étang de Berre. It is a large coastal lagoon located northwest of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Golfe de Fos, it is one of the largest such lagoons in Europe. The surrounding area is a significant industrial and logistical hub, historically shaped by both natural processes and extensive human modification.

Geography and hydrology

The lagoon is situated within a topographical depression, bordered to the north by the Chaîne de l'Estaque and to the south by the Chaîne de la Nerthe. Its primary natural freshwater inflows are the Arc and Touloubre rivers, which drain from the Alpilles and Luberon regions. A major artificial addition is the Canal de Marseille au Rhône, which diverts water from the Durance river via the Canal de Provence, significantly altering the lagoon's salinity. The sole natural connection to the sea is the narrow Canal de Caronte at Martigues, which flows into the Golfe de Fos near the Parc naturel régional de Camargue. The smaller Étang de Vaine and Étang de Bolmon are adjacent water bodies separated by narrow strips of land.

Environmental issues

The ecological health of the lagoon has been severely impacted by decades of industrial activity. Major pollution events have been linked to operations at the Fos-sur-Mer industrial port and the Berre-l'Étang refinery, leading to significant eutrophication and habitat degradation. The large-scale freshwater input from the Canal de Marseille au Rhône, initiated in the 1960s, caused drastic drops in salinity, devastating native marine populations like Posidonia oceanica seagrass beds. Legal actions by environmental groups, including rulings by the European Court of Justice, have compelled the French state to reduce freshwater discharges. Ongoing remediation efforts are monitored by organizations such as the GIPREB (Public Interest Group for the Rehabilitation of the Étang de Berre).

Economic activities

The shores of the lagoon form a cornerstone of the industrial Marseille-Fos Port, one of the largest commercial ports in the Mediterranean. Key facilities include the Fos-sur-Mer steelworks, the TotalEnergies refinery at Berre-l'Étang, and numerous petrochemical plants. The Istres-Le Tubé Air Base, a major facility of the French Air and Space Force, is located on its northwestern shore. The area also supports logistics, with the Miramas rail yard being a critical freight hub. Traditional activities like small-scale fishing and salt production have greatly diminished due to industrialisation and environmental changes.

History

Human settlement around the lagoon dates to antiquity, with evidence of Ligures and later Ancient Greek influence. During the Roman Empire, the area was part of Gallia Narbonensis. The medieval period saw the construction of fortified towns like Martigues. The modern industrial transformation began in the 19th century with the development of the Canal de Marseille au Rhône and accelerated dramatically after World War II with the establishment of the Fos-sur-Mer industrial zone. The 20th century also saw the area play a role in aviation history, with the development of the Latécoère seaplane base. The environmental consequences of this rapid industrial growth became a major public and legal issue from the late 20th century onward.

Flora and fauna

Despite environmental pressures, the lagoon and its wetlands provide habitat for numerous species. The peripheral salt marshes and sansouire areas host halophytic plants like Salicornia and glasswort. Birdlife is significant, with the site being an important stopover on migratory routes for species such as the flamingo, Avocet, and various terns, monitored by groups like the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux. Fish populations are a mix of freshwater species from the inflowing rivers and marine species that enter from the Golfe de Fos, including sea bass, gilthead sea bream, and eel. Conservation areas within the broader zone contribute to the Natura 2000 network.

Category:Lagoons of France Category:Bouches-du-Rhône Category:Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur