The flora and fauna of Cœur de Garonne are a treasure trove to be explored and protected for future generations.

As dusk falls, a discreet figure glides along the banks of the Garonne. Almost invisible, the European otter slips between the water and the vegetation, leaving behind only faint traces. Playful and elusive, it explores its territory along the water’s edge, dives, disappears, then reappears a few metres further on, like a well-kept secret.

A nocturnal and shy animal, it favours calm rivers, wild backwaters and unspoilt areas where it finds refuge and food. Its presence, rare and precious, is a sign of a rich and balanced natural environment.

Keep your eyes peeled, slow your pace, and let yourself be carried away by the sounds of nature… perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse, for just a moment, of this discreet symbol of biodiversity in the Heart of the Garonne.

As dusk falls, a discreet figure glides along the banks of the Garonne. Almost invisible, the European otter slips between the water and the vegetation, leaving behind only faint traces. Playful and elusive, it explores its territory along the water’s edge, dives, disappears, then reappears a few metres further on, like a well-kept secret.

A nocturnal and shy animal, it favours calm rivers, wild backwaters and unspoilt areas where it finds refuge and food. Its presence, rare and precious, is a sign of a rich and balanced natural environment.

Keep your eyes peeled, slow your pace, and let yourself be carried away by the sounds of nature… perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse, for just a moment, of this discreet symbol of biodiversity in the Heart of the Garonne.

At the bend of a pond or a tranquil branch of the Garonne, a dark silhouette glides gently through the reeds. The moorhen moves with elegance, nodding its head with every step, as if balancing on the water. Its bright red beak and stealthy gait give it away, before it suddenly vanishes into the vegetation.

Always on the lookout, it explores the banks, swims silently or slips into cover to hide from view. Accustomed to calm, vegetation-rich environments, it builds its nest in a sheltered spot, as close to the water as possible.

Take the time to watch, keep an eye out for the slightest movement… and you may spot this discreet inhabitant of the wetlands, a witness to the teeming life that animates the landscapes of Cœur de Garonne.

Drifting along the water, a familiar silhouette glides peacefully down the Garonne. The mallard, with its iridescent green head and calm demeanour, goes with the flow effortlessly. Sometimes in pairs, sometimes in flocks, it brings life to rivers, ponds and wetlands with its reassuring presence.

Between quick dives to forage for food, it paddles on the surface or rests on the bank, always alert to its surroundings. In spring, pairs form and the banks come alive with the comings and goings of families, offering a simple yet vibrant spectacle in the heart of nature.

Easy to spot but never mundane, the mallard is part of the landscape. Take the time to stop, listen to the lapping of the water… and let yourself be carried away by the tranquillity of these moments in the heart of the Cœur de Garonne.

At the water’s edge, a soft splash disturbs the calm surface of a pond. In an instant, the green frog vanishes, leaving behind only a few ripples on the surface. Motionless a little further on, barely visible amongst the grass, it watches, biding its time.

On fine days, its song rings out like a true natural symphony, bringing life to pools, ditches and wetlands. It basks in the sun, leaps nimbly or dives at the slightest sign of danger, always ready to vanish into its element.

Discreet yet ever-present, the green frog is a valuable indicator of the quality of aquatic environments. Listen carefully, approach gently… and let yourself be surprised by this little inhabitant of the waters of Cœur de Garonne

Motionless at the water’s edge, a slender silhouette stands out against the landscape. The grey heron waits, perfectly still, as if frozen in time. Then, in a fraction of a second, its beak breaks the surface: the catch is precise, almost invisible.

Majestic and solitary, it frequents the rivers, ponds and wetlands of the Cœur de Garonne. Slow in its movements, it moves with silent elegance, always alert to the slightest ripple in the water. At the slightest disturbance, it takes flight with a sweeping flap of its wings, revealing its full wingspan.

Take the time to observe, quietly and discreetly… and let yourself be impressed by this peaceful guardian of aquatic environments, a witness to the natural richness of the region.