The extraordinary nature of the Camargue

The French Camargue is located between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhone Delta, south of Arles. The western arm is known as the Petit Rhone, while the eastern arm is known as the Grand Rhone.

Administratively, it is part of the Bouches-du-Rhône department, which includes the communes of Arles, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône and Marseille. Just west of the Petit Rhone, in the Gard department, is another area of ​​marshy plain known as the Petite Camargue.

On 1 December 1986, the Camargue was designated a Ramsar site as a “Wetland of International Importance”. France has many beautiful regions but the extraordinary nature of the Camargue is famous.

BirdLife International has designated the Camargue as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it is home to over 400 different bird species.

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The best attractions in the Camargue

Camargue has many top attractions but here are a few discussed below:

The Arenas

Every major city in Roman Gaul had an amphitheatre where gladiators and wild creatures met their (often terrible) ends. Few examples survive, although Arles has kept its coliseum largely intact, as does adjacent Nîmes. Built in 90 AD, the oval-shaped amphitheatre was 136 metres long, 107 metres wide and 21 metres high.

It could hold 21,000 cheering spectators. Although the building has suffered over the years, it is nonetheless a reminder of the power and skill of Roman civilisation. The north side is where you enter.

Terraces, galleries and even the ancient Roman drainage system are still present, as is much of the building’s original construction. Although on a much smaller scale, the Roman Coliseum served as inspiration for its design. It is considered an extraordinary piece of nature in the Camargue.

Pont de Gau Ornithological Park

The Camargue is home to many flamingos, but it is also one of the best places to observe the many other migratory and seasonal species that inhabit these wetlands. Depending on the season, you may see herons, storks, egrets, teals, avocets and grebes.

The reserve includes a care centre for sick and injured birds, as well as 7 km of trails that give you every opportunity to observe its feathered inhabitants. 4 km north of Les Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer, take the D570. The Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau is one of the most popular among the extraordinary nature of the Camargue.

Reattu Museum

Although this fantastic 150-year-old museum is housed in a beautifully restored 15th-century hospital priory on the banks of the Rhone, one might assume that it is outdated despite its current first-rate collection.

Its collection includes pieces by 18th and 19th century Provençal artists, two paintings, 57 sketches, and of course, a few pieces by its namesake, Jacques Réattu. In addition, it presents brilliantly selected cutting-edge exhibitions. This museum shines in the extraordinary nature of the Camargue.

Luma Foundation

This brand new, state-of-the-art gallery and art centre, which will inevitably rise up in a disused railway depot in the south-east of the city, will be eagerly awaited by Arles’ growing cultural landscape.

It will have a much-publicised launch in 2019 and was created by Frank Gehry with funding from the Luma Foundation, a Swiss organisation.

For more information, there are five guided tours of the site in French each week, as well as an English tour on Saturdays at 11.30am (adult/child €7/free). It has the extraordinary nature of the Camargue.

Luma Foundation

Ancient Theatre

This theater was built in the first century BC at the request of Augustus, the first unofficial Roman emperor. Although it is in a semi-ruinous state following centuries of pillaging, it is easy to admire the charm and engineering of this structure.

With its 10,000 seats, lighting and the few remaining pillars, it continues to be one of Arles’ most prestigious performance venues for summer concerts and plays.

Rue de la Calade is where the entrance and ticket office are located. The Théâtre Antique is also famous for the extraordinary nature of the Camargue.

Ancient Theatre

St-Trophime Church

This Romanesque church, built on a 5th-century basilica, is named after the semi-mythical first archbishop of Arles. It served as a cathedral until the bishopric was transferred to Aix in 1801.

It is considered a masterpiece of Provençal Romanesque art and was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Look for the ornately carved west entrance with the tympanum depicting the Apocalypse perched atop it (and St Trophime himself, brandishing his crozier). The bones of the bishops of Arles are housed inside the treasury.

Sometimes, the nearby cloister of Cloître St-Trophime hosts exhibitions. Born from the extraordinary nature of the Camargue, the Eglise St Trophime is also famous.

St-Trophime Church

Activities in Camargue

There are many things to do in Camargue some of which are mentioned below.

Ride a White Horse in the Camargue Regional Natural Park

The charming white Camargue horses with their shiny tails are small and agile, resembling the horses depicted on the walls of the Lascaux caves some 15,000 years ago. They are considered one of the oldest breeds in the world. The annual Féria du Cheval, held in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in July, pays tribute to these Sea Horses, who were originally employed to plough the land and herd black bulls. The celebration includes horse shows and Roma music concerts. Explore the Camargue Regional Nature Park, an area of ​​more than 210,000 acres of salt marshes, lakes, rice paddies and samphire-covered moors, by jumping on one of these majestic beasts yourself.

Hiking trails are offered by many equestrian centers, including Les Arnelles and Le Palomino Le Boumian. From the extraordinary nature of the Camargue, riding a white horse in the Camargue Park is a tourist visit.

Let yourself be amazed by the pink flamingos

Don’t be surprised if, as you drive along the remote roads of the Camargue or stroll along its secluded trails, you look up into the clear sky and see large pink birds flying overhead with black stripes on their wings.

The Camargue is the only place in Europe where flocks of flamingos and greater flamingos regularly breed, producing an average of 10,000 pairs each year. Visit the Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau in the centre of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue to see them up close and learn more about them.

Walks and trails wind through the marshy, bird-filled area. The flamingos are magnificent amidst the extraordinary nature of the Camargue.

Let yourself be amazed by the pink flamingos

Stay in a working manade

Staying on a working ranch, where you can observe the lifestyle of the keepers who have maintained this harsh landscape for centuries, is the best way to get a feel for the region.

Some offer local festivals, hiking tours, and opportunities to help the keepers. Most are located on large properties where horses and bulls graze. Staying on a working Manade is also an extraordinary experience of the Camargue.

Visit a saltworks

Farmers find the Camargue’s saltiness challenging, but it also has its advantages, such as fleur de mer. This is the coarse, fragrant gourmet salt that chefs around the world covet, and it is sold under the brand name Le Saunier de Camargue, among others. Salt was first harvested here by the Romans, and the salt workers, or saulniers, still do it today. Remember: it is harvested by hand, which explains its reasonable price. The D36 will take you to the commune of Salin de Giraud and the nearby salt pans and salt mountains, which you can explore by car or on your own. The extraordinary nature of the Camargue visit to the salt pan is famous.

Conclusion

There are many attractions in Camargue that will make your trip memorable and unforgettable. Share your visit to Camargue with friends and enjoy it.

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