I returned the following July for three months of training (Advanced Master in ecology), sent by the University Pierre and Marie Curie. Having followed the lectures of François Bourlière before, I had read the magazine Terre et Vie, and I was passionate about the ecology of the delta before I even got there, largely thanks to François Bourlière. I had already heard of the permanent researchers (Alain Tamisier, Pierre Heurteaux, Heinz Hafner, Alan Johnson and many others) and their publications. Then, having received a scholarship from the Office of Hunting to write a doctoral thesis, it was out of question for me to pursue these studies elsewhere than in the Camargue, and so, I returned...
What was your first impression?
I remember everyone’s enthusiasm for the field research, the magnificent library, François Bourlière’s visits, who was always eager to kindly share his knowledge and had an insatiable curiosity. I also remember Luc Hoffmann’s presence, protective in many ways: like a magic potion and cocktail of confidence for passionate students, undoubtedly, but nonetheless young people who also doubt the meaning of life.
What is your best memory at Tour du Valat?
I believe it was the passion that animated people, confirmed researchers and students alike: not a person who did not know the immense privilege that we were given to work through summer and winter in the marshes of Camargue. There were already many visitors, people from all backgrounds, invited by the station, friends of Luc, WWF and IUCN staff with whom we willingly shared experiences and who brought us different perspectives.
There was, of course, my work on wintering ducks, collecting data in the most famous estates and marshes, entire nights in hides on the TdV domain, in the Reserve, in the salinas of Aigues-Mortes, not to mention the endless discussions on the need to protect nature, hunting which needed to be made responsible, sustainable development...
What was your best encounter at the Tour du Valat?
It was in Camargue that I met my best friends Jean-Paul (Taris) and Pierre (Campredon); we had different career paths, Jean-Paul remaining in Camargue to do all the work that we know, while Pierre and I went on to join other organizations, then the IUCN, but we remained inseparable. Between us a deep friendship (heartily maintained) was created and, by some strange detour, then extended to Luc Hoffmann; I think he liked our enthusiasm, which was expressed in the projects he proposed us to join. Always full of solicitude, Luc has shared his vision and ambitions for nature in the Mediterranean basin, Africa, the WWF, the IUCN, the FIBA...
Another beautiful encounter I would like to mention is one I made on my arrival, with the generous Pierre Heurteaux (and Chantal, Vincent, Françoise), an exciting hydrogeologist (and anarchist), passionate and inexhaustible on the games of water and salt (understanding this is to understand a lot about the ecology of the delta), his passion for music, jazz and Léo Ferré...
What emblematic species of Camargue do you prefer?
I do not have a favorite species, but I have a preference for winter in the flooded Camargue, the reddish sansouires, the gusts of mistral (and my thigh boots that I even took to California!), the large duck sheds on the blue water, especially the large flocks of wigeons in the Petite Camargue, the moonshine on the Reserve, Salin de Badon, Amphise, the Wolf Raft. Wings ruffling and nocturnal conversations of wigeons or pintails, moving "in all directions" towards their favorite marshes, and wild boars, horses and bulls going about their business in the night. It is magic...
Why did you join the Friends of Tour du Valat Association?
To receive the "latest news from the Sambuc" (!). More seriously, it is certain that the disappearance of friends has left in me a sort of emotional void that I seek to fill in various ways, including joining the Association of Friends...
Do you have any advice or messages to pass on to the future generations who will come spend some time at Tour du Valat?
Message 1:
Go out in the field again and again, summer and winter, go everywhere by moving along the "salinity gradient", because apart from your research topic and assigned studies, there is so much to see, watch, observe , discover, know ... Always question those who know better and then communicate, in any possible way, what has been understood .
Message 2:
Consider the previous message again
