Camargue wetlands reserve in the Gard, exceptional for its herons and reedbed birdlife.
Réserve naturelle régionale du Scamandre
The Réserve naturelle régionale du Scamandre is a small regional nature reserve situated in Petite Camargue, in the southern part of the Gard department of southern France. Established as a regional nature reserve in 2006, it covers roughly 146 hectares of typical Camargue landscapes, ranging from grassy prairies and salt steppe to fringing marshes around the Étang de Scamandre. The reserve is notable for bringing together almost all of the characteristic biotopes of the Camargue within a single, visitor-accessible site, and is the only regional nature reserve in Petite Camargue developed for public reception and environmental education.
Its ecological importance centres on a remarkably rich avifauna. The Scamandre reserve hosts all nine European species of herons and egrets, and the broader reedbeds of Petite Camargue, of which Scamandre is part, are considered among the largest in western Europe. The site's mix of open water, reedbeds, tamarisk stands, and salt meadows also supports a broad representation of Camargue flora, mammals, reptiles, and freshwater fish.
Since 1994, the site has been managed for conservation and education, with a discovery centre, interpretation trails including raised boardwalks through the marsh, teaching facilities, and guided visits. It is managed by the mixed syndicate responsible for the protected and managed Camargue gardoise area, bringing together the Gard departmental council and eight local communes.
