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Cassis-The riou archipelago
goats, rabbits, rats, and springs
Île Maïre, île Jaïre, île Riou, île Calsereigne and other rocks extend Cap Croisette and the Marseilleveyre massif. Now a desolate spot, this archipelago has had an intense history—and it is an interesting spot for diving.
Humans could be found on the Riou archipelago as far back as 7,000 years ago. In the 14th century, one of the three lookout posts for Marseilles’ southern side (Notre Dame de la Garde, Marseilleveyre, and Riou) was set up there, communicating amongst themselves through signals, and warning the city of the approach of enemy ships.
At that period, the city of Marseilles let out pastures on the île Riou to goatherds, who grazed their animals on the island. The last pair of island goats, having become wild, remained there up until the 1980s. The goats’ environmental impact was significant, and over several centuries, they considerably modified the ecology. But these animals have been linked to the spot for a much longer time: 4,000 years ago, when the sea was lower than its current level, one could walk between the islands—which of course were not islands. One would cross the "goats' plateau", now about 12 m under water.
The sparse scrubland allowed the presence of just enough wood to power lime-burning kilns, and a sand quarry was operated there. This was possible due to a water source: Riou gets its name from the presence of a "rû", a perennial stream, which permitted the presence of humans. All the area's fishermen and sailors came to Riou to lay in their reserves.
Meanwhile, the name for the île de Calsereigne ("où se calent les sirènes"—lit. where the mermaids settle) comes from the presence of monk seals, a tropical, Mediterranean species, all of which were shot by fishermen who found it intolerable that these creatures would lazily come to gorge on the fish caught in their nets, with no regard for the mesh. Today, the island is a home to rabbits and rats.
In spite of this history, the floristic diversity is surprising and of an exceptional quality. The microclimate that rules the Riou archipelago (drought, violent and frequent winds, sea spray) has enabled a flora to develop that suits these extreme conditions.
Several of these plants have a highly localized distribution in France, with their range limited to a few spots on the Mediterranean coastline. On the Riou archipelago, they form specific endemic groups on the Mediterranean limestone coastline. To date, more than 320 plant species have been recorded there, 18 of which are protected by law.
- Christophe Naigeon
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