It is where nature remained wild and preserved, stretching over 150,000 hectares: Camargue is a paradise for those who love wide open spaces. This natural region located on the Mediterranean coast covering the departments of Gard and Bouches-du-Rhône results from the Rhone delta. If you are planning to discover this one-of-a kind wetland area holding a rich and varied wildlife, here are the most beautiful places to check off on your roadbook.
Table of contents- The Camargue National Reserve
- The Vigueirat Marshes
- The Pont de Gau Ornithological Park
- The Domaine de la Palissade
- The Beauduc and Piémanson beaches
- The cities that you don't want to miss in Camargue
The Camargue National Reserve
The first thing that comes to your mind thinking of Camargue has to be these wide and wild natural stretches, mostly wetland where you can find galloping white horses under flying pink flamingos.
This stereotyped image does exist, and not just on postcards. And it is in the Camargue National Reserve that you can marvel at this feast for the eyes. The area stretches over no less than 13,000 hectares, and one of the official starting points is located in the well-known town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Another possibility is to reach Arles because the reserve goes from one municipality to the other.
It was created in 1927 and classified as early as 1975: the Camargue National Reserve is a true national monument. This is indeed the spirit of Camargue, its essence, since the fauna and flora are totally protected there. As such, it is the oldest and one of the largest nature reserves in mainland France.
While discovering this setting combining nature and greenery, you will be surprised seeing the countless species of birds that use this place as a refuse, with of course the emblematic pink flamingos. You will sure feel an intense sense of well-being, calm and serenity along with the delightful impression of being alone in the world in your long-awaited return to your roots…
The Vigueirat Marshes
The nature reserve of the Viguerat Marshes is also among the most beautiful places of Camargue, because there too nature under the spotlight and can achieve its full potential. Recognized at the national and international level, This protected area located in the Bouches-du-Rhône is nationally and internationally recognized. How about starting to explore it starting from the Mas-Thibert district, attached to the city of Arles?
More than 2,000 animal and plant species typical of the Camargue live in this Marshes, over an area of more than 1,200 hectares. You can discover them throughout a 5-km hike accessible to all and take all the pictures you want, just making sure not to disturb the people living here. But you can also go through the site by bike and why not… by carriage?
The Pont de Gau Ornithological Park
The Pont du Gau Ornithological Park was initially just a zoo which has since been transformed into a nature park. This one-of-a-kind animal park is also located in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and allows you to marvel at the many species of birds that live there or pass by. There is a 7-km pedestrian path crossing the place.
You can visit the park throughout the year since several species of birds find refuge there throughout the seasons, such as the pink flamingo, the marsh harrier, the shelduck as well as herons and warblers.
What makes this place so special is the fact that it was first a municipal zoological park created by a family of enthusiasts in 1949. It has since changed over time, with the heirs adding their own personal touch each time, gradually turning it into a protected and preserved wilderness area.
The Domaine de la Palissade
The Domaine de la Palissade is located in the commune of Arles and it is another natural setting worth visiting for a few hours to fully appreciate its beauty. The light is sometimes pastel-hued, soft or more vivid, diffusing a sweet perfume of mystery over the place.
This exceptional nature site will delight those who enjoy being cut off from the world while being in direct contact with Mother Nature. And rightly so: over 700 hectares of this protected natural area are property of the Conservatoire du Littoral, the wildlife there being as bountiful as magnificent. You will love these spaces interspersed with marshes for their unspoiled beauty.
In order to get there, you have to head for the city of Arles which, along with Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, is one of the three official starting points of Camargue.
The Beauduc and Piémanson beaches
The beach of Piémanson located in the commune of Salin de Giraud, in the Bouches-du-Rhônes department, is a small paradise for those who love idleness and bathing. What a wonderful way to discover the Camargue from a fresh perspective! The long Mediterranean coast is sublime, but quite crowded during the high season. If peace and quiet are what you're looking for, the best time to visit is in the spring or autumn: when the climate is still mild and the area much more peaceful.
The Beauduc beach is also in the middle of Camargue. It is a nature site located in Arles and which is also a popular spot for kite surfers. So obviously, the wind blows pretty hard there. But the place really deserves your attention, at least for you to enjoy this beach which is one of the largest on the Mediterranean coast. Here, you'll only want to swim, sunbathe before taking a nap.
But no matter what happens, watch out for the mosquitoes when the night falls...
The cities that you don't want to miss in Camargue
Arles, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Aigues-Mortes, Avignon: these towns and villages of Camargue are an integral part of the region and visiting them is essential if you want to discover whole area.
Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is an genuine, lovely and picturesque village, a landmark for the Camargue tradition wheere gypsies from all over Europe come every year to honor their patron saint Sara, the Black Virgin.
Moreover, some 35 km from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is Arles, there is a city which can't be overlooked in terms of charm and originality. Arles is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site and known for having been a major source of inspiration for the artist Van Gogh. Its cultural, historical and architectural diversity plays a major part in the reputation of this typical city of the Camargue, also having the advantage of holding the largest number of Roman monuments just after… Rome, as shown by its magnificent arenas.
Let's set off for the department of Vaucluse to discover Avignon, another cultural and patrimonial gem. Its famous bridge and its impressive Palais des Papes attract thousands of visitors every year and the Avignon Festival is most definitely the highlight of the high season.
Finally, we'll head to Aigues-Mortes to visit a small Occitan town renowned for its towers and its medieval ramparts. The city also has a solid reputation due to its famous salt marshes which instil in the place a natural beauty that you should like…
As you can see, the unique places of Camargue are many and they will delight the travelers looking for a preserved patch of wild nature. Discovering the towns and villages of Camargue as well as the nature parks is something that takes time, but a whole world that awaits you…
