Saint-Martin de Crau is often defined as “a town in the countryside” and it’s very true! For what ? Because it benefits from several green and wooded areas where it is pleasant to walk and relax. Here we go, I'm taking you to discover the most famous, the Le Jardin de Gaston arboretum!
It's early autumn and I decide to go to this garden on a Thursday afternoon to walk around and take some photos. In the parking lot, several cars are parked, which surprises me quite a bit for a weekday. It's 14 p.m., it's 26°C and I enter under a tree canopy that seems to cut me off from the outside world. That's it, it's time to explore, I begin my walk along a small canal where I see a few mallards who seem to show me the way. I decide to continue on my left and I arrive at several aviaries. Doves, pigeons, pheasants, doves, ducks and magnificent white peacocks are distributed by affinity. I see a dozen little roosters passing by a few meters from me, seemingly calling out to me and following me for a few seconds.
THE HOUSE OF INSECTS
But what is this compartmentalized shelter installed a little further away?
Imagine that this is the house of insects. But, you ask me, what is it for?
It is quite simply a nest and hibernation place for useful insects, it promotes the biological protection of gardens and encourages, among other things, the pollination of plants grown on site. Some insects like to stay there like ladybugs, earwigs, butterflies... Enough to arouse the curiosity of children but not only that.
SHH, DO YOU HEAR?
I continue walking and I arrive at the heart of the garden where I overlook a very pretty little lake. I can see ducks, a goose and two magnificent white swans resting, a little behind, on an islet. I look at them and think they must be really good here! I take a few photos and sit down on a bench to take a good look at everything around me and I realize that the environment I am in is pleasantly silent. I appreciate this silence which relaxes, which gives a peaceful side to the place and I savor this moment of pure happiness with in the background the chirping of the birds, the quacking of the ducks or the cackle of the goose. I decide to go see what is hidden a little further on, the path I take is lit here and there by the sun's rays piercing the foliage.
MORE THAN A GARDEN, A PLACE OF LIVING!
I want to get a little higher and climb the wooden observatory which will undoubtedly please the children. Besides, if you have a pair of binoculars, I invite you to bring them, they will be delighted to play pirate! From up there, I overlook the lake, its large lawn, and part of the vegetation of the site, I see several people walking, elderly people chatting on a bench and two athletes doing stretches on the lawn.
This garden is really suitable for a wide audience and a range of practices, whether you are with family, friends, alone, in a group; whether you want to play sports, have a picnic, read a book, nap, walk, “lounge” you are in the right place!
Direction the exit, I cross a small wooden footbridge, via a new path and stop at a tree which has something original, needles in the shape of pompoms, yes you know, like those of the "pom cheerleaders” who support their American football team, except that they are smaller and all green. I read the sign stuck at its feet and discovered that it was a Himalayan Weeping Pine, a tree with a particular shape, in a wide pyramid, with branches extending all the way up. It can reach 40 m, sometimes more, in its original area. The flowers appear in April and May and you can imagine that the male flowers are different in color from the females.
Get lost in the paths of this garden and discover many other species.
THE ARBORETUM IS ALSO…
- An area of 4 hectares
- A 1 meter pedestrian route
- More than 150 species of trees and shrubs, conifers and deciduous trees.
- Plant species from all over the world
- Around forty ornithological species and…
Well, I'm not going to reveal everything to you! Want to know more ? It’s in Gaston’s garden that it’s happening. I only have one piece of advice to give you, take the time, the time to discover it, the time to have fun, to relax, the time to simply enjoy the weather and let yourself be lulled by this magnificent natural space accessible all year round.
A FEW REMINDERS WON’T HURT
Parking located on avenue de Plaisance
Free access
Accessible only on foot
Dogs on a leash and who says dog says...? Dog waste bag, think about it!
Access prohibited if wind exceeds 60 km/h
Fishing and swimming prohibited
Even if the temptation is strong, it is forbidden to give bread to ducks, swans, geese and other birds because it is very dangerous for their health.
Ask the Tourist Information Office for access times:
+04 90 47 98 40
stmartindecrautourisme@agglo-accm.fr
And find out about the other wooded and leisure areas that the town benefits from.