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The BASE DU ROCHER > Canoeing > The river Argens
Canoeing
The river Argens
No, we’re not
in Canada or the Marais Poitevin. We are in the heart of one
of the most beautiful spots on the French Riviera
!
Climb into a canoe and explore this little-known calm, protected region. You’ll find it hard to believe you are on the Côte d’Azur when you discover the luxurious green vegetation, the calm water and views of the mountain of Roquebrune and its red rocks. No, we’re not in Canada or the Marais Poitevin. We are in the heart of one of the most beautiful spots on the French Riviera ! 116 kilometers long, the Argens is a coastal river which runs into the sea in the Gulf of Fréjus. It forms the bed of a valley which is little-known, yet full of charm. The river rises in Seillons, near Saint Maximin, 269 metres above sea level.. Come and explore the lower reaches of the river, between Roquebrune sur Argens and the sea. This is a peaceful area with plenty of deep water and few rapids. You will discover a little hidden lake, and when you reach the coast, you will come out onto the beautiful beach at Saint-Aygulf. Our circuits are located in a natural reserve classified Natura 2000, and reputed for its diversity in fauna and flora. The Argens runs into the sea very close to the pools of Villepey, in one of the rare coastal wetlands between the Camargue and Italy. Over 200 species of birds have been identified here The zone plays an important role during migration, with ducks, grebes, waders, gulls, flamingos, etc... The biodiversity of the plain of the Argens is linked to the juxtaposition of wetlands and cultivated areas. Watch out : You could bump into one of these
!
The
Coypu
The coypu was introduced into France from southern America and bred for its fur. Some animals escaped captivity and colonised the region. The coypu is a large rodent which can grow to a metre in length. It has webbed feet, and the females’ mammals protrude towards the animal’s back. Cistude Turtles These were once to be found throughout most wetland zones. However the destruction and pollution of their natural habitat (rivers, marshes and pools) has led to their extinction in many regions. One of their last surviving bastions are the Maures and the river Argens. Florida or red-headed Turtle This turtle comes mainly from Florida in the United-States. It is an aquatic turtle, normally to be found in lakes, pools and marshes in Mississippi. It can be easily identified by the reddish markings on the side of the head. It is more aggressive and represents a threat to the cistude turtle. Perez’s frog This is the biggest frog in the region, and can measure up to 14cm. Its belly and underpart of the thighs are white mottled with black. Heron Slow in flight, the heron has legs longer than its body. When hunting or fishing it can remain motionless for hours on end. It winters in Africa, feeding on fish, frogs, insects and field mice. It stands nearly one metre high, has a wingspan of 1metre75, and can live up to 25 years. You may encounter two species of heron in this area , the grey heron and the hubereau. The Bee-eater An African migrant which spends the summer in France. This is a beautifully coloured bird seen perching on branches near the waterside, nesting in colonies of several hundred and feeding on insects. The kingfisher A brightly coloured bird (orange and blue), capable of diving to a depth of three feet to catch fish which are sometimes as large as himself. He may be seen perching on branches at the water’s edge or as a flash of colour, skimming over the surface of the water at great speed. Other birds Other birds that can be observed on the river Argens include various species of gulls in areas close to the sea, along with mallard ducks which follow you everywhere, and of course, swallows and swifts. The dragonfly Dragonflies prefer still water and feed on mosquitoes and flies. Fish If you keep your eyes open you will notice many varieties of fish (pike-perch, carp, grey mullet, barbel, tench, etc...
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