Istres : les jardins de l'Etang

Dinosaur'Istres is a discovery trail on the Castellan hill dedicated to dinosaurs.DINOSAUR'ISTRES, a walk among the great figures dinosaurs the town of Istres, on the Hill of the Castellan, already known and recognized as a remarkable archaeological site (see page...) and emblematic of biodiversity Provencal. With 20 species represented at full-scale along a route following their emergence time on Earth, accompanied by explanatory signs on each species and general themes that have all been written under the control of Stéphane JOUVE, head of collections of Palaeontology of the University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris), attached to the Center for research on the paleobiodiversite and paleoenvironments of the National Museum of history natural (Paris), Dinosaur'Istres, offers to the Once a playful and informative walk for young and old. The site of the Castellan, who has been completely preserved, also offers a diversity and richness of Mediterranean flora which will constitute an additional discovery for visitors. Beyond the discovery of the course of how free and independent, supported by explanatory signs, many activities and tours are available during the summer and throughout the year by the Tourism Office, which appeals to palaeontologists. Lectures will also be scheduled. Dinosaur' between Istres, also at the heart of educational projects carried by the city in the direction of the children, under ventilated centres or activities peri-scolaires or still the game library, but also in the direction of all audiences through including of the media library. The whole project has been designed with a strong scientific dimension and relies on collaborations with recognized experts on the subject.Free and open access. Open every day of the year

Located right in the heart of Istres, the Etang de l'Olivier is a jewel with France's highest water jet towering over it. The jet d'eau, located more than 80 meters from the shore in the Castellan cove, reaches a record height of 50 meters.Introduced in 2008, the Jet d'Eau is unique in France for its height, technical innovation and aesthetic prowess. A huge liquid flag, it symbolizes the vitality of the city of Istres. It also helps to oxygenate the Etang de l'Olivier. Unique in France! Technical innovation The water jet is installed on a 6-metre square frame, immersed 50 cm below the water level for better integration into the pond. The stainless steel structure weighs 2200 kilos. The water column is fed by a 125 horsepower pump, located 3.5 meters underwater. In figures : - Average jet height: 50 metres - Water outlet speed: 120 km/h - Flow rate: 80 litres/second - Pump total power 92,000 watts Note that the water jet can be switched off on days when the Mistral wind blows or when the weather is inclement.

Located near the Saint Sulpice chapel and overlooking the etang de l’Olivier, the Mediterranean garden was developed from 1997 by Istres’s Green Areas department. It is home to one hundred varieties of plants and bushes from the Mediterranean basin.A key element behind our 4-flower award for the ‘Villes & villages fleuris’ label, the Mediterranean garden offers a unique and perfect setting for a walk. When the fair weather arrives, come and stroll through this garden which offers a superb panorama on the etang de l’Olivier and its water jet. With more than 100 species from the Mediterranean basin, the garden features a high-quality plant environment. An ideal choice for family outings. Visits can be booked with a botanical specialist, through the tourist office.

This is an authentic Romanesque style chapel. It is one of the oldest in the region. It is still unknown when exactly it was founded, but it’s thought to be between the 10th and the 11th centuries.This religious 9th century chapel is a very pure Romanesque style. This is one of the oldest in the region. Its Bell was also called Sainte-catherine. It has a lantern of the dead. The Chapelle St-Sulpice reveals the former Istres, as Oppidium du Castellan, an ancient place Celto-Ligure which overlooks the étang de L'olivier. The chapel Saint-Sulpice is a major building of the Romanesque Provence and is classified since 1942 to the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments. Today, the chapel has to promote artists and amateur practices in organizing exhibitions around the arts and Visual arts. It offers throughout the year a programme of exhibitions of artistic practices in a spirit of openness on contemporary art.These exhibitions, bringing together professionals and amateurs, are aimed at the broadest audience. The beauty and the acoustics of the place also invite arts of gesture, poetry and song to cross their respective creations.Each exhibition in its staging is designed to resonate with this exceptional place and return the echo of a balance maintained between art and architecture.

An extraordinary world where art takes you on an unusual adventure. Take the paths through the park and meet these twelve extraordinary animals: Safa the Giraffe, Ibérico the Bull and, of course, Michka the Bear!The panels provide you with a lot of information, but you can go even further in the experience with your smartphone! Use QR codes like NFC tags to continue the adventure. A great place to visit with a view of the etang de l’Olivier and just a stone’s throw from Dinosaur'Istres.