Sports
freinds, Hello,
Here you will find some reports of activities
on the topics Open Air and Nature of which you
will be able to profit in our area. With one
click you will discover that little extra that
can make your holidays or your weekend a success.
The
greatest event in the world for mountain bikes
takes place in October in an enchanted surrounding:
the Base Nature: 150 hectares with 1200 meters
along the sea between Fréjus and Saint-Aygulf.
The majority of the courses are in the solid
mass of the Maures in the communes of Frejus
and Roquebrune sur Argens: view over the Mediterranean,
perfumes of the hills, sun... all that make
you languish to be there. The Base Nature then
becomes the surrounding of a show of 12 000
m² - 180 exhibitors - 7000 vehicles - and
adds up more than 100 000 visitors. Entertainment
is organized on the Base and in the arenas Frejus:
Trial Show, fashion parade of cyclists clothing,
concert, fireworks, the great champions are
present.And since then the figures do not cease
to increase.
In front of this growing success, the tests
were adapted to the level of each one, course
of 8 up to over 50 km: Roc Marathon –
Roc Masters – Mid Roc – Roc Tandems
– Roc Ladies – Kid Roc – Roc
d’Azur. In the same way 2 choices are
offered to you: timed tests (races) and tours
(non-timed course). For each one its challenge.
Complete information in French and English
on the site
: www.rocazur.com
>>
Pedestrian
Excursions Especially
for Nature freaks, for long excursions or simple walks
to discover of one of the oldest massifs, the pride
of our area.
The Estérel-massif is one of the largest Permian
massifs of Europe (end of the primary era: 260 to 225
million years). It extends on nearly 97 000 hectares,
with a dozen of peaks such as that of the Mont Vinaigre
(614 m.), Les Suvières (558 m.), Pic de l’Ours
(492 m.), Dramont (136m.)…
Constituted on volcanic rocks, of a red-brownish colour,
the Estérel-massif offers surprising contrasts
with its green and silver plated flora: oaks (lièges,
green and black), pines (parasol, alep, maritime), chestnuts,
almond trees, mimosas... the maquis made up of cane-apple
bushes, juniper-berries, genets, bay-trees... scrubland
with its heathers, cistuses, myrtles, thyme... and its
many grass-sorts and flowers: maritime poppies, lavenders,
cinerarias,
ficoides and its splendid sisal plants when you approaches
the coast.
Fauna is
also extremely varied there, many insects of which the
most known is the cicada, crickets, grasshoppers, multiple
butterflies, but also tortoises (of Herman, protected
species), lizards, wild boars, hares, wild rabbits,
birds of all kinds (the migrating ones made this area
their stopover: herons, Flemish pinks, ducks, woodcocks...).
By traversing our tracks, you might would like to know
more about the winds that sometimes beat the countryside:
the Mistral, which
descends the valley from the Rhone sweeping the clouds
of the sky, carrying good weather, the East wind which
on the contrary brings grey time and rain, the Sirocco
hot wind of the Sahara which covers everything with
sand, the Ponant which comes from the west and the sea,
a little breeze, more than welcome in the heat of the
summer.
Deluded with scents, do not forget to go for a walk
to the semaphore of Saint-Raphaël, where until
Mandelieu Napoule, the Estérelmassif plunges
in the Mediterranean in a symphony of colours: the tones
of red, brown, mallow of the rhyolite being reflected
in the blue of the sea, you are on the Corniche d’Or.
73% of the surface of the Var is planted with forests,
in Fréjus the forest occupies more than 4000
hectares located in the Esterelmassief. A quite great
field to be explored by feet or bike. And especially,
do not forget: our worst enemy is fire; fire kills people,
animals, and plants, so please be careful. In the same
way, respect the environment; do not throw away any
paper.
You will find the most beautiful walking tours on: : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/massifdelestrel/
>>
General information, we recommend you the chapter Gallery
of the site www.generation-outdoor.com
>>
We would like to compliment them with their result.
Deep-sea
Diving the Big Blue ....our Mediterranean
Diving, discover the world of silence where the continuous
movement of the underwater life charms you. Harmony,
the colours of flora and fauna, all going together and
making your eyes twinkle.
The coast of the Var has various plots where you can
dive; you will find some examples underneath:
Corail
Les Péniches Situées à :
Situation: Anthéor, close to la balise de la
Chrétienne, behind the bay of Fréjus Saint-Raphaël Depth: between 26
and 36 meters Size: 2 barges «
Jean-Suzon » and « St Antoine » of
352 and338 tons Date of the shipwreck:
31.01.1944 Nature of the bottom:
cockle sand. Fauna: merous, sea-eel,
bench of barracudas. Fixed fauna: gorgones, sponges
etc... (little developed) Flora: Posidonias
(flowering sea-plant). Requested diving level:
Level II accompanied
L'Ile du Lion de mer Situation : The
bay of Fréjus / Saint-Raphaël
Depth of the coral wall, at the Westside of the island:
36 meters
The coral is very fine and long. You won’t find
there branches with large feet. The coral starts early
with the first branches towards 18/20 meters... Name of the coral:
red coral, corallium rubrum
Requested diving level: Level II accompanied
Depths of the statues: Immersed voluntarily, one is
Eastside: the siren, 23 meters deep and
the other, at the West, the virgin who is at 12 meters.
Nature of the bottom: cockle sand southern side and
a little muddy sand at the northern side (bay). Fauna: capons, lobsters,
mostelles from time to time, sars, sea-breams sometimes.
Note to the curious beginners: Attention, not to confuse,
flora and fixed fauna. The gorgones, the sponges, the
anemones, all that exists on the lion de Mer but they
are colonial animals, fixed fauna. The flora is represented
by Posidonias (flowering sea-plant) and the green and
red algas (rhodophycées), also present at the
lion de Mer
Requested diving level: All levels (except for the statues:
baptisms not allowed
Ascidie
Le Rubis
Classified by the off-series n°2 of the International
Diving Magazine like one of the 101 most beautiful diving-spots
in the world
Situation: south
of Cap Camarat, between Saint-Tropez and Cavalaire Depth : 34 to 40
meters Type : underwater
minelayer, 66 meters length, built in 1931 and which
was voluntarily sunk after the many and honest services
on January 31, 1958. Wreck in very good state.
Nature of the bottom: sand Fauna : sea-eel,
murenes, anthias, castagnioles. Flora : little impressive
Requested diving level: Level II accompanied
Param
uricea clavata
Diving in the protected area of Port Cros Situation: minimum
2 hours of crossing from Fréjus, opposite Bormes
les Mimosas and le Lavandou. Created in: in December
1963 it is the 1st marine national park in Europe. It
is composed of 700 terrestrial hectares (with the small
islands of Bagaud, Rascas and Gabinière) and
of 1300 hectares at sea Fauna: Famous mérous
of Gabinière, very rich fauna in general: barracudas,
dentis, sars, liches, sea-breams... large mother-of-pearl
(one of the largest shells in the world). Every 3 years
takes place the operation counting the mérous.
In October 2002 it was listed 410 brown Mérous
(Epinephelus marginalis). An increase in the youthful
population (10 to 15 cm.) tends to prove that there
was a good local reproduction in 2001. Flora: multitude
of Posidonias whose role is of primary importance to
the ecosystem: 1st oxygen supplier. Unique: The underwater
path of Cros Port is a great excursion to be made with
mask, tube and palms. During 30 to 40 minutes you will
discover the Mediterranean fauna and flora. To do between
the 15/06 and 15/09 independently or with one of the
free guided tours: 04.94.01.40.72.
All along the path you will find explanatory
panels but we recommend you the purchase of a plate
presenting the various species at the Maison du Parc
Capitainerie du Port (4.60€ in 2002).
Please respect the sea, do not throw anything into the
water, do not take anything away; what you have seen
and the photographs are the most beautiful memories
to be brought back.
All our gratitude for his essential assistance to the
passionate Dominique Horst (Doumé in the diving
world).
For more information : http://www.portcrosparcnational.fr/accueil/
>>
Le
Jet-ski : Sensations for sure
Jet ski, a fabulous sensation of Freedom.
Imagine the huge unlimitedness of the sea, go right,
turn left, hang forward, you make your body become a
turbo motor. A ride with friends or family will be an
unforgettable event of joy and laughter.
What about breakfast on one of the beaches in Saint
Tropez and all along the ride you will admire the Côte
d’Azur like never before. The beaches, the creeks,
the harbours that succeed one another with their marvellous
colours and their salted scent.
Or you might prefer to go to the Roches Rouges, between
Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, there where the Esterel
Mountains drop in the sea. You will be surprised to
see all these marvellous colours and you’ll have
to take a picture.
Jet skis are powerful engines, easy to handle, secure
and open to all. You could take your children with for
a fantastic moment. An awarded instructor will accompany
you and teaches you how to control this sea motor. What
are you waiting for; let’s go for an incomparable
pleasure.
To start dreaming already about the jet-ski, to be informed
about
the different power, to see the most beautiful examples,
we advise you to take a look at the web site of one
of the biggest manufacturers : www.sea-doo.com
>> www.jetski.com
>>
The
greatest event in the world for mountain bikes
takes place in October in an enchanted surrounding:
the Base Nature: 150 hectares with 1200 meters
along the sea between Fréjus and Saint-Aygulf.
The majority of the courses are in the solid
mass of the Maures in the communes of Frejus
and Roquebrune sur Argens: view over the Mediterranean,
perfumes of the hills, sun... all that make
you languish to be there. The Base Nature then
becomes the surrounding of a show of 12 000
m² - 180 exhibitors - 7000 vehicles - and
adds up more than 100 000 visitors. Entertainment
is organized on the Base and in the arenas Frejus:
Trial Show, fashion parade of cyclists clothing,
concert, fireworks, the great champions are
present.And since then the figures do not cease
to increase.
