Underwater Trail: The Garden of Mattes

In La Londe les Maures, opposite the islands of Porquerolles and Port-Cros.
Located at the tip of the rocky spur of the Argentière and Pellegrin beaches, in a completely protected area.

The coastal underwater world can be discovered on the surface, with fins, mask and snorkel, by anyone who knows how to swim.
By following the numbered buoys equipped with handrails you will discover the submerged panels presenting the ecosystem.
At depths ranging from 0 to 4 meters, there is a great diversity of underwater landscapes (Posidonia seagrass meadows, Cymodocea, rocks, sands, scree…), inhabited by numerous species of fish, molluscs, crustaceans, starfish…

Posidonia seagrass meadow: it is not an alga but a flowering marine plant.
Posidonia plays a very important role in stabilizing sandy bottoms, thanks to its roots which, by mixing with the sediments, form a kind of barrier called the "matte".
A true "lung" of the Mediterranean, this plant has been protected since 1988.

The underwater trail can be explored independently from June to September, freely following the numbered buoys.

An Aquaguide for identifying species is available at the Tourist Office.
Equipment to bring, not provided: mask, snorkel, fins.
Essential requirement: knowing how to swim.