The cloudy weather probably explains the lack of crowds on Tuesday in front of the various entrances to the Calanques National Park in Marseille, which once again opened its closed doors since the start of confinement. This absence of hikers or climbers, but also of divers or visitors at sea is not to displease the management which advocates a resumption of activities "in quiet mode" while the park receives 3 million visitors each year.
“While the humans were not there, nature took over, the animals found a calm and serene space. Many birds have nested, for example, ”says park president Didier Renault. “It was an extraordinary opportunity for biodiversity. Visitors must be responsible and not approach animals on land or at sea. ”
The dolphin and the genet
Whales and dolphins have once again approached the coasts and, in the hills, rare animals such as the genet have been observed during confinement. In addition to the regulations on respecting the two meters distance between visitors, the prohibition of groups of more than ten people and dynamic activities for the beaches, the management of the park but also sports federations and associations for the defense of environment, call park users "to good citizenship and responsibility".
"We know that you shouldn't get close to the animals and stay on the trails," confirms Marcel, a 72-year-old hiker who found his beloved walks yesterday after two and a half months of ban. “These instructions are normal, he agrees. We must respect this extraordinary environment. "