Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The caderousse dyke was built to protect the village from the devastating floods of the Rhone, after the catastrophic flood of 31 May 1856, where the water reached 7.91 meters, submerging most of the houses up to the first floor. The old dykes, including the 1470 dykes on land and grass, proved insufficient, forcing the city council to order a new work, 75% financed by the state at a total cost of 170,000 francs. The works, which began in 1860, were completed at the end of 1866, providing enhanced protection against similar floods.

The structure, 1,716 metres long and 9 metres high, combines an external wall with a 45° steep slope and a grassed inner embankment. It is 3 meters high and 10 meters high at the base, it includes a pedestrian path, stairs, and two doors equipped with grooves for ships: the Porte Léon Roche (former Porte d'Orange) and the Porte de Castellan. These coffers, used until 2003, were upgraded in 2012 to use only the external groove. The dam, classified as a historic monument in 2001, symbolizes the adaptation of provencal villages to natural hazards.

Inside, a course lined with plane trees alternates between parking and ball fields, typical of the villages of the southeast. Five sections compose it: Cours Jean-Moulin, Gabriel-Péri, Aristide-Briand, Frédéric-Mistral and Guy-Mocquet. Outside, the dyke is surrounded by roads such as 8-May-1945 Avenue or D17, illustrating its integration into the local urban and road fabric. Its functional architecture and history reflect the region's historic hydrological challenges.

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