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Le Grand Réservoir is a 45-hectare Provençal reservoir offering solid carp fishing alongside pike, zander and tench in a scenic southern French setting—ideal if you're exploring beyond the northern French circuit. Bank fishing only, with day-fishing restrictions, so plan your sessions accordingly; the distance from Calais (540 miles) makes this a destination for a longer trip rather than a weekend break. You'll need a French fishing licence and must contact the FDAAPPMA 13 (Bouches-du-Rhône federation) to confirm access and any local regulations before visiting.
Night fishing at le Grand Réservoir is not permitted. Night carp not confirmed on this lake. Bouches-du-Rhône has 13 designated night carp parcours, all weekend-only (Fri–Mon), year-round. Check peche13.fr/4904-carpe-de-nuit.htm for the full list. Source: peche13.fr/4904-carpe-de-nuit.htm Anglers must leave the bank before dark.
Bivouac & overnight camping is permitted at le Grand Réservoir under standard French fishing law — one rod, within 10m of the water, no open fires.
Required permits & cards: Bouches-du-Rhône card (CHI).
Managed by FDAAPPMA 13 / Fédération Pêche Bouches-du-Rhône. Always verify current rules with the AAPPMA before your session — regulations can change seasonally.
le Grand Réservoir holds carp, pike, perch, zander, tench, bream, black bass. Carp are the primary draw for visiting UK anglers. All carp should be handled with care and returned promptly. A landing mat and unhooking mat are essential kit for any carp session.
A valid Carte de Pêche is required to fish le Grand Réservoir — you will also need to be affiliated with FDAAPPMA 13 / Fédération Pêche Bouches-du-Rhône. Licences are available online before your trip.
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2nd Category water. Carp/coarse: open all year. Pike: 25 Apr 2026–31 Jan 2027 (closed Feb–Apr). Zander/Perch/Catfish: all year. Pike season as above.
Always verify current rules with the local AAPPMA (FDAAPPMA 13 / Fédération Pêche Bouches-du-Rhône) before fishing. French fishing regulations can change seasonally.
France is the closest mainland European fishing destination for UK anglers. The Channel Tunnel (Folkestone–Calais, ~35 min) is the fastest crossing, while P&O Ferries (Dover–Calais, ~90 min) offer good value for heavy kit. Most northern French venues are within 2–4 hours of Calais; southern venues require a full day of driving.
A Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence) is required for all freshwater fishing. Buy online at cartedepeche.fr before you travel. Annual, weekly and daily options are available and include your AAPPMA affiliation for the selected department.
To fish le Grand Réservoir, you need a valid Carte de Pêche (French fishing licence), available online at cartedepeche.fr before you leave the UK — affiliation with FDAAPPMA 13 / Fédération Pêche Bouches-du-Rhône is included in the purchase process. Annual, weekly and daily licences are all available online.
Bouches-du-Rhône is home to numerous public fishing venues. Browse all venues in Bouches-du-Rhône or explore all of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
France offers outstanding fishing year-round. The main coarse close season applies to some rivers (typically January–March for certain species), but still-water carp fishing on private and AAPPMA-managed lakes is available throughout the year. Spring (March–June) is the classic French carp season, with fish actively feeding and moving into shallow margins. Summer nights (June–August) are ideal for big-fish sessions on the large public reservoirs and rivers. Autumn (September–November) is particularly productive on the Auvergne and Languedoc lakes as temperatures drop. The Loire and Saône river systems produce excellent catfish sport from June through September, while the Dordogne and its tributaries fish well for chub, barbel and trout from spring through autumn.
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