The Crau is the ancient confluence of the Durance and Rhône, and constitutes their vast flat alluvial fan.
Agriculture The Crau is composed of two different parts:
The dry Crau is in the south, and has been used as pasture from Roman times. There are around 100,000 sheep , including the Merino sheep.
The wet Crau is in the north and includes the communes of Saint-Martin-de-Crau, Eyguières, Istres, Mouriès, and Arles. It produces the Crau hay, which benefits from an Appellation d’origine contrôlée
Flora and fauna Thyme Holm oak Pin-tailed sandgrouse Little bustard Lesser kestrel
History The Crau was described by Strabo as the Stony Plain (Book IV Chapter 1).
External links
La Crau, on Arles website