As a result of finally humid weather in Provence, the Huveaune, the main coastal river between Var and Bouches-du-Rhône, is full of water over its entire course which extends over 52 kilometers from Saint-Zacharie to Marseille. A return, not yet to normal, which the inhabitants are delighted with.
Some clearings but overall a lack of lasting sunshine, a gray sky and heavy rain and regular this winter in Provence. The winning recipe for recharging rivers and groundwater.
Good news for nature which is in great need after several episodes of drought, particularly during the winters of 2022 and 2023. The period we are experiencing since the end of September is the most unstable in five years with rains finally effective. And according to the latest weather forecasts, the weather in Provence will remain variable, humid with seasonal temperatures, at least until mid-February 2026.
The Marseillais in joy
A stone’s throw from the Vélodromeboulevard Michelet, on the bridge which spans the Huveaune, the water is flowing again. The show delights the Marseillais who stop to watch… but also to listen: “That’s nice to hear. It’s good that the Huveaune is flowing” rejoices Gilbert interviewed by ICI Provence. “Well yes! Because we’re on a bridge and usually it’s always dry” continues another resident. “So it’s a surprise for me to see the Huveaune flowing here in Marseille.” Alexis, also moved: “Yes, it disturbed me, intrigued me!” assures the fifty-year-old, yet strapping. “And I said to myself that with all that it’s been raining for weeks.”
Météo-France has not yet communicated the precipitation report for January 2026, but all the experts interviewed by ICI Provence agree that Provence is experiencing its most turbulent winter in five years. “To have these winter rains which are regular and fairly well distributed since the end of September 2025”, develops Eric Brenner of the Huca Epoch. The public establishment is responsible for managing the waters of the Huveaune: “It’s something extremely profitable at a time when vegetation is particularly inactive. So yes, very profitable for water resources, rivers and groundwater.”
Barely half of the water table restored
Good news for water recharging even if the level remains well below normal whether for surface water or groundwater. “For example on the Huveaune, the average monthly flow is around 1,000 liters per second. Where we should be around 1,300 liters per second” explains Eric Brenner, water resources project manager. “So we are below even if it is better than the last four years. Same thing for the water table which is recovering. But for the moment we remain at about half of what we lost. Let’s say between 1m50 and 2m50 below normal”.
To hope for a return to normal, we must therefore hope for a good end to winterfollowed by a rainy spring without much heat as well as a summer without extreme heat waves. In the meantime, a new rainy season between September and March, still profitable.
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