Discover Beaucaire Island

Developed and classified in 1995 by the General Council of Tarn-et-Garonne, the island of Beaucaire is part of the Sensitive Natural Areas (E.N.S.). It covers 1.5 hectares of land and 0.5 hectares of water. This recognition highlights the ecological and landscape value of the site, which is subject to conservation and management measures and controlled public access. Located on the outskirts of Moissac, the island plays an important role in the ecological balance of the Tarn. Although it was developed by humans, it has become a place for discovering the local natural heritage, representative of riverside landscapes. The development project, carried out in association with the Île de Beaucaire association, began in 1995. It aimed to improve natural habitats, preserve biodiversity, and welcome the public. Today, an interpretive trail, marked with thematic panels, allows visitors to explore the island and appreciate its flora and fauna.

River corridors are ideal places for observing wildlife, particularly sedentary and migratory birds, which find essential resting places in wetlands and alluvial woodlands. Often reduced to simple rows of trees, the riparian forest of the Tarn retains larger habitats on the island of Beaucaire, which are favourable for nesting and species diversity. Both common birds (sparrows, tits, magpies, etc.) and water-related species (ducks, herons, cormorants, terns, gulls, etc.) can be observed there. Thanks to its varied environments, the island is a major birdwatching site in Moissac and contributes to the preservation of local biodiversity.

Around Moissac, the Tarn is home to around twenty species of fish, dominated by cyprinids (roach, carp, bream, etc.) and accompanied by predators (zander, pike, catfish, etc.). In spring, the channel of the Île de Beaucaire serves as a spawning ground where fry develop in shelter before joining the main river. In winter, some species gather in the tributaries or shallow areas of the Tarn, while during periods of high water, the island becomes a refuge from strong currents. A true wetland integrated into the Tarn ecosystem, the island plays an essential role in the life cycle of fish. To protect them, its channel is classified as a permanent fishing reserve.

Riparian vegetation, which grows along riverbanks, includes trees (willows, ash trees, alders, poplars, oaks, etc.), shrubs (hazelnuts, dogwoods, etc.) and herbaceous plants (rushes, reeds, water irises, etc.). Adapted to flooding, it plays an essential role in stabilizing riverbanks, regulating water levels, filtering water, maintaining biodiversity, and shaping landscapes. In the past, this natural forest provided rural communities with firewood, fodder, tool handles, and other resources, ensuring that it was well maintained and preserved along riverbanks. Today, it is often degraded. Its management remains essential to preserve its ecological functions. On the island of Beaucaire, the riparian forest combines local species (white willow, black alder, common ash, etc.) and a few ornamental species, integrated into the landscape of the Tarn.

On the other side of the Tarn : Formerly a wheat mill, then used for hydroelectricity production, this building now houses the municipal campsite. But its walls also hold a piece of history: in 1859, they witnessed the birth of Firmin Bouisset, the illustrious poster artist behind the famous advertisements for Biscuit LU and Chocolat Menier, among others!  We invite you to discover his life and career, and to admire his works at the Espace Firmin Bouisset in Castelsarrasin.