Mas Mireille
Our centre Mas Mireille, located in Provence, near the city of Arles, has replaced the centre at Tourades, where A Rocha had established its first French centre for Environmental Studies in 2001.
The primary aim of Mas Mireille is to carry out scientific monitoring and management work in natural areas. The latter are concentrated in the Vallée des Baux, and focus on the fauna, flora and ecosystems: wetlands, holm oak forests and limestone massifs. All the areas studied are part of the Natura 2000 network.
Mas Mireille is also a place to live, an expression of the community spirit that is dear to the identity of A Rocha. In addition to our scientific offices, we welcome and accommodate many interns, volunteers and voluntary workers, who wish to share an exceptional human and environmental experience, for periods ranging from a few weeks to over a year.
Come and stay at Mas Mireille!
A Setting, a heritage
Panorama marais des Baux
Mas Mireille is located at the heart of the Vallée des Baux, in a setting rich both in history and in terms of the natural environment and landscape.
- In the extreme south of the National Regional Park of the Alpilles (Parc Naturel Régional des Alpilles), it offers a panoramic view of the Alpilles, a limestone ridge where the garrigue habitat with its treasures of flowers, insects and birds, can flourish.
- The site is next to the plain of the Crau, a unique steppe habitat renowned worldwide for the richness and originality of its biodiversity such as endemic insects and rare birds such as the Little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), the Pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) and the Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni).
- The city of Arles, dominated by its Roman amphitheatre and its multiple bell towers, is only a few kilometres to the west. Outside the city of Arles, the historical and archaeological wealth of the surrounding area is impressive: Roman aqueduct, Roman mill, Montmajour Abbey, Baux de Provence castle, etc.
- Finally, Mas Mireille is located at the heart of the wetlands of the Vallée des Baux, a short walk from the Ilon Regional Nature Reserve and the Ilon Marsh. It offers the sight of many magnificent birds: Pink flamingos, Cattle egret, Purple swamphen, but also herons, kites, harriers, warblers… This wetland, where A Rocha has been working for more than 20 years, shows a remarkable diversity.
How to get to Mas Mireille:
Mas Mireille
3000 Chemin de Barbegal à l’Ilon
13280 RAPHELE-LES-ARLES