The underwater archaeological tour Fondue Tour (Pointe du Bouvet)

Le Codep83 of the FFESSM is at the initiative of the naturalist underwater trail of the Pointe du Bouvet. TheAREVPAM And the City of Hyères (and the team from the Olbia site) have installed a reconstitution of a ship's cargo filled with amphorae 6m deep nearby. Now, the two paths form one, combining a naturalistic and archaeological format.

After an experimental phase in 2014 with the re-immersion of 30 amphorae, 3 years elapsed before the addition of 120 new amphorae. This site now has a total of 150 Dresses type amphora 1B and dating from 2th century BC.

The monitoring and observation of the potential impact generated by this artificial reef on the environment was carried out for three years by the members of AREVPAM while ensuring the archaeological material conservation of the site.

Why re-immerse amphorae? The goal is to evoke the vision of the cargo of the wreck and thus give visitors the emotion of discovery. Indeed, nowadays it is almost impossible to find such a deposit at such a shallow depth in such a good state of conservation. Thus archaeological material can be promoted to a wide audience in situ.

Go back: Port de la Tour Fondue, landing stage for the island of Porquerolles.

There, the 2nd archaeological underwater trail. A challenge was launched to the AREVPAM (Association for Research, Studies and Valorisation of Mediterranean Heritage) in 2013: to re-immerse the amphorae of the Madrague de Giens, excavated in the early 1970s. - archaeological marine of France (Olbia archaeological underwater trail), AREVPAM then installed the amphorae on the edge of the Pointe du Bouvet naturalistic trail, creating a second archaeological underwater trail.

After a year of preparing the amphorae with the help of volunteers (storage, inventory, gluing, choice of amphorae, etc.) the amphoras were quickly launched by a team of divers from AREVPAM with logistical support from the city of Hyères (and the team from the Olbia site) and the diving club Space Sea Diving Giens, without forgetting the presence of volunteers.

RECALLS

The site is open to everyone. However, we recommend going through a structure in order to benefit from the safety and environmental discourse of the environment and archeology. The trail is marked during the summer period. Here again, AREVPAM provides instructors with teaching cards or sets up training courses. School groups are also welcomed and benefit from the presence of an AREVPAM archaeologist during their visit.

FLASH INFO: Webbed hikes will be organized free during the festival Galathea, International Festival of the Marine World, Hyères. It will be enough to have registered during the GALATHEA festival. On the initiative of CODEP83, children from surrounding schools will also benefit from this walk with instructors specialized in underwater biology.

Nicolas PONZONE & Lénaïc RIAUDEL