Grande Plage

20.5°C Water temp · Jun 8

France Coastal 1 - Excellent 20.5°C

Satellite image of GRANDE PLAGE — Satellite image © Esri

Fos-sur-Mer comprises five bathing areas in the Gulf of Fos, south of the Fos to Port-de-Bouc navigation canal. The two main beaches are Cavaou and Grande Plage, which are monitored and managed for public bathing. Three additional bathing zones—Saint Gervais, Phare, and Lafarge—are unmanaged and not subject to sanitary surveillance or controls. Water quality classifications indicate excellent quality at Cavaou beach and good quality at Grande Plage according to Directive 2006/7/CE simulations.

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Water

Five bathing areas in the Gulf of Fos, southern France. Cavaou beach: 1.2 km linear extension, 25–60 m sand width, maximum depth 2 m within 100 m zone. Grande Plage: 440 m linear extension, 15–45 m sand width, maximum depth 2 m within 100 m zone. Both have gentle, regular slopes.

Location

Fos-sur-Mer, France. Plage du Cavaou is located between Saint Gervais port and the LNG Terminal site, extending 1.2 km with a sand width of 25–60 m. Grande Plage is situated immediately east of Saint Gervais port, extending 440 m with sand width of 15–45 m. Both beaches have free parking; Cavaou has 500 vehicle spaces.

Facilities

Cavaou: lifeguards (June 1–August 31, weekends in early June), 6 toilets connected to collective sewerage, outdoor double showers (3 locations with drainage to sand), disabled access with reserved parking, information and rescue post, rubbish bins every 50 m, 2 mobile snacks and 1 annual restaurant (restaurant connected to sewerage network), sailing club. Grande Plage: lifeguards (June 15–August 29), toilets, showers, disabled access. Both beaches: daily cleaning during summer season.

Season

Cavaou: open and supervised June 1–August 31, plus last two weekends of June, 10:00–18:00 weekdays, 11:00–19:00 weekends and holidays. Grande Plage: maintained June 1–September 30; supervised June 15–August 29, 10:00–18:00 weekdays, 11:00–19:00 weekends and holidays.

Water Quality

Water quality classification: excellent for Cavaou beach, good for Grande Plage according to Directive 2006/7/CE. DDASS monitoring results from 2006 to 2010 available. Cavaou obtained the Blue Flag for Europe for the 17th consecutive year in 2010. Risk of pollution is not confirmed and a simple bathing water profile is sufficient.

Risks

Seasonal mobile food vendors without wastewater disposal systems; outdoor shower drainage directly to sand. Proximity to industrial sites (LNG Terminal, port facilities). Rainwater discharge and wastewater discharge identified as pollution sources requiring management.