Inside the Macany LPO Refuge: the secretive birdlife of La Lieurette

Covering nearly 30 hectares in the alluvial plain of Macany (along the Roubaud and Sauvette waterways), the wetland of La Lieurette is a safeguarded ecological gem. Owned by the City of Hyères and co-managed with the Toulon Provence Méditerranée (TPM) Metropolis, the marsh is protected under an official convention with LPO Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur as a certified "LPO Refuge". This conservation status strictly bans hunting and chemical pesticides, securing a vital sanctuary for over 190 bird species, the European pond turtle, and rare wetland mammals. However, exploring this area requires strict naturalist discipline: La Lieurette is surrounded by active agricultural and equestrian farmland. Several tracts host horse breeding estates and private pastures under temporary grazing agreements. A significant number of access trails, farm roads, and lanes are strictly private property and forbidden to unauthorized visitors. Ethical birding requires adhering strictly to designated public peripheral roads (such as paths along the Roubaud) or participating in guided tours arranged by the local LPO group. Never trespass into private equestrian enclosures or climb pasture fences. Through discretion and respect, visitors can witness the low foraging flights of Western Marsh Harriers skimming the mist and the calls of Zitting Cisticolas among the reeds.