description Crau Plain Overview
The Crau Plain is a stony plain in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence, southern France. It formed from ancient alluvial deposits carried by the Durance and is covered in rounded stones over distinctive stony soils. Much of the remaining natural habitat is Mediterranean steppe, protected in the Coussouls de Crau National Nature Reserve, while irrigated areas also support permanent grasslands and the traditional Foin de Crau hay.
help Crau Plain FAQ
Where is the Crau Plain?
The Crau Plain is in the Bouches-du-Rhône department of Provence in southern France. It is a stony plain formed from ancient alluvial deposits carried by the Durance.
Why is the Crau Plain covered in stones?
The Durance deposited rounded stones across the plain over geological time. Those stones create the distinctive stony soils that make the Crau visually different from nearby Mediterranean landscapes.
What natural habitat remains in the Crau Plain?
Parts of the remaining natural habitat are Mediterranean steppe, often called the coussoul. Much of the plain has also been shaped by grazing, farming, transport, and industrial development.
Is the Crau Plain a desert?
It is better described as a stony Mediterranean plain or steppe than as a true desert. Its dry appearance comes from shallow stony soils and the Provence climate, not from a complete absence of seasonal vegetation.
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