Created by the State in 1975, this public establishment, unique in Europe, has three missions: to acquire, manage and restore French coastal areas.
The aim of the Conservatoire du Littoral is to respond to 4 issues:
- the conservation of areas of high heritage value for future generations ;
- the preservation of a natural and historical capital that is fundamental to the attractiveness of the territory;
- fair and intelligent access to protected sites for all audiences ;
- protection of property and people from extreme weather events by creating a buffer space between the ocean and humans.
The 150 hectares of the Orpellières were acquired in 1980, and integrated into the Natura 2000 network in order to be protected as a nature reserve. As was the neighbouring Grande Maïre site some twenty years later.
