The double tombolo of Giens is an extremely rare geological phenomenon. There are only five in the world. These are two strips of sand that connect the peninsula of Giens to the mainland. These salt marshes, a haven of exceptional biodiversity, are threatened by coastal erosion as a result of global warming.
The threat of extinction double tombolo of the Giens peninsula is a clear statement. Elected officials and environmentalists disagree on the solution to be put in place to save this classified place.
This tombolo took thousands of years to form. Moreover, during the period of Antiquity, Giens was an island and not a peninsula. For 15 years, the threat of seeing these strips of sand disappear has grown. The damage particularly affects the western tombolo which borders the famous Almanarre beach.
To prevent the sea from invading the salt marshes, elected officials are proposing to install an underwater dike (a solution recommended by a firm of experts, after two years of study). Environmentalists denounce the overcrowding of the place. Often classified as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Almanarre attracts swimmers, sports enthusiasts, tourists and nature lovers.
According to Jean-Pierre Giran, mayor of Hyères, and now president of the Toulon Provence Méditerranée metropolis, this project would reduce the energy of the swell. It would then break on the dike, and no longer on the beach, causing erosion. Furthermore, itThis dyke, submerged under 1 m of water, would allow the continuity of nautical activities.
The work, which was to start in 2021, was delayed in particular by the Covid crisis.
Joined by AFP, Benoît Guérin, of the Hyères citizen ecology association (and member of the steering committee of the French Office for Biodiversity) reacts: “We are not going to fight against nature with concrete blows! She was messed up by the man, let’s deal with it now“.
As for the Conservatoire du littoral (CELRL), manager of the threatened saltworks, it “wishes to artificialize this natural space as little as possible”. He wonders about the “real benefits” of an underwater dike which in fine would displace coastal erosion at its extremities, on the Posidonia meadows.
The Conservatoire du littoral suggests reducing mass tourism. With 3,000 permanent inhabitants, the peninsula of Giens welcomes nearly a million visitors per year on its 120 hectares.
Benoît Guérin recommends the closure of the salt road, to “limit visits to the place”, on the model of the neighboring island of Porquerolles where, since 2021, a gauge of 6,000 daily visitors has been established “.
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