Ferrieres (Etang De Berre)

18.8°C Water temp · Jun 8

France Coastal 1 - Excellent 18.8°C

Satellite image of FERRIERES (ETANG DE BERRE) — Satellite image © Esri

Bathing water profile document for Étang de Berre beaches in France, updated in 2025. This document establishes risk profiles and management procedures for multiple bathing sites around the lagoon, following the 2006 EU Bathing Water Directive. The profile includes physical characteristics, hydrological data, pollution source identification, and risk assessments for each beach. Water quality is classified into four categories: insufficient, sufficient, good, or excellent based on intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli monitoring.

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Water

Étang de Berre is a coastal transition lagoon in southern France. Individual beaches vary in characteristics: Robinsons beach is 679 meters long with an average width of 5 meters, consisting of sand and pebbles. The lagoon receives water from three main tributaries: the Arc, Touloubre, and Cadière rivers. Multiple wastewater treatment plants discharge into the watershed.

Location

Étang de Berre lagoon and surrounding beaches in the Provence region of France. Multiple beach sites monitored including Robinsons near Rognac, with parking availability depending on specific beach location.

Season

Monitoring season runs May through September, with formal bathing season established annually before commencement.

Water Quality

Water quality classification based on minimum 16 samples over 4 years (current season plus 3 previous seasons). Regulatory thresholds for coastal and transition waters: Excellent quality requires intestinal enterococci ≤100 UFC/100ml and E. coli ≤250 UFC/100ml (95th percentile); Good quality requires enterococci ≤200 and E. coli ≤500 (95th percentile); Sufficient quality requires enterococci ≤185 and E. coli ≤500 (90th percentile). Robinsons beach classified as Excellent in 2024. Historical classifications show: 2021 Good, 2022 Excellent, 2023 Excellent.

Risks

Three beaches identified with increased sensitivity to storm pollution: Champigny, Marettes, and Romaniquette. Storm events cause temporary bacterial contamination; 24 hours after storms, contamination decreases to compliant levels (average 115 UFC E. coli/100ml and 79 UFC enterococci/100ml across all beaches). Wastewater treatment plant malfunctions during severe storms can cause bacteriological contamination. Arc river discharge near Champigny beach identified as pollution source. Coastal confinement from small coves can trap pollutants.