Lagoon de Berre

lagoon, Marseille, France

Also known as: Étang de Berre

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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The Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre) is a large tidal lake located west of Marseille, France, on the Gulf of Lion. This lagoon is connected to the Gulf of Fos, which is part of the larger Gulf of Lion, by a canal. The Rhone River also influences the area, with its delta located nearby. The city of Marseille itself is situated on the Gulf of Lion, within a semicircle of limestone hills, and is a major Mediterranean port. Historically, Marseille has been a significant trading port since its founding by Greeks around 600 BCE. The area around the lagoon has seen development, particularly in suburbs like Marignane and Vitrolles, due to urban growth pressures.123

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Marseille
The city site
…large tidal lake called the Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre), the shoreline flattens out. There the sandy dunes of the Gulf of Fos and the Camargue region in the Rhône’s delta were less attractive to early mariners and were only later seen as offering possibilities for development.
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…large tidal lake called the Berre Lagoon (Étang de Berre), the shoreline flattens out. There the sandy dunes of the Gulf of Fos and the Camargue region in the Rhône’s delta were less attractive to early mariners and were only later seen as offering possibilities for development.
Read More