Do you know the little nature reserve in neighboring St-Louis, France, called “Petite Camargue Alsaciennne”? Its 704 hectares are situated along the Rhein in an area that’s about 15 km long and 1-2 km wide. And are made up of a mosaic of environments, from softwood willow groves on the banks of the Rhein and hardwood oak groves on the levees to wet meadows, reed beds, marshes, and dry grasslands. The area is a relic and witness of the Rhein’s jungle and former floodplain with a diverse and plentiful fauna and flora. The reserve is managed by an association of conservationists, naturalists, scientists, and politicians and is also home to a research facility that studies nature, the environment and native wildlife. In addition, there is a fish farm on site, which was actually the first industrial fish farm in Europe, founded in 1852.

You can visit the reserve any day of the year and walk on any of the seven marked trails that range from 0.3 km to 3.7 km. Be amazed by the wonders of nature and stop at many of the observatories that dot the route. Respect the rules of the trails by not leaving the marked trails and by keeping your dog on a leash.

La Petite Camargue Alsacienne is open to the public all year round and is easily accessible by car, by train (get off at station Saint-Louis La Chausée/Neuweg), by bus (Distribus #604 from Schifflände, stop called “Petite Camargue”), bicycle (accessible from the bike path along the Huningue Canal), and on foot. For more information about this nature reserve, visit their website. You can download a PDF of the map of the nature reserve on their website.

https://www.petitecamarguealsacienne.com

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