The Camargue France is a stunningly beautiful part of the Provence region in southern France. A typical enchanting visit to Provence France includes charming hilltop towns, market days, lavender fields, colourful shutters, and exploring intriguing Provençal cities.
What would be the reasons to visit the Camargue Regional Nature Park (le Parc Naturel Régionel de Camargue)?
Calling all nature lovers! The Camargue is a lesser-explored part of Provence that is a magnificent blend of wetlands, floral meadows, wide skies, and abundant wildlife. A little off the beaten path, the Camargue France is filled with rich birdlife, wild white horses, and salt flats.
The Camargue also has a rich cultural history. Humans have been living here for well over a thousand years harvesting red rice and producing salt from the salt marshes.
One of France’s most unique and untouched regions, the Camargue offers a variety of activities to suit every kind of traveller. Bird watchers, hikers, history buffs, and photographers will be in heaven in the Camargue Region of France.
Where Is The Camargue France?
The Camargue region is located in the south of France in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. In the west, it extends into the Gard department of the Occitanie region of France. The closest city to the Camargue is Arles. Arles, 20 minutes by car, can be used as a base to explore the Camargue. Avignon, 40 minutes by car, and Aix-en-Provence, 50 minutes by car, are other good choices for a day trip to the Camargue.
The Camargue is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and two arms of the Rhône Delta – the Grand Rhône to the east and the Petit Rhône to the West.
11 Reasons To Visit The Camargue France
1. Marvel At Western Europe’s Largest River Delta
The Camargue, where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranea Sea, is western Europe’s largest river delta. The Camargue is 360 square miles/ 932 square kilometres making it a vast area full of wetlands, lagoons, salt flats, and marshes.
2. Be Wowed by the Flamingoes At The Bird Park
Of all the reasons to visit the Camargue, the flamingos were the deciding factor for my daughter and me. The Rhône delta in the Camargue is the only nesting site in France for pink flamingos. There are 50 000 to 60 000 flamingoes that nest in the Camargue in the summer months. We knew our chances were high of seeing a flamingo!
Head to the Parc Ornithologique du Pont du Gau to see every species of bird that calls the Camargue home. The ornithological park is set up brilliantly with 4.3 miles/ 7 km of beautiful trails that wind through the wetlands.
It’s the perfect place to watch different bird species in their natural habitat. The pink flamingos are the superstar. Although the Grey Herons and White Storks are fascinating to observe.
Parc Ornithologique du Pont du Gau
- Location: on the D570, north of Stes-Maries de la Mer
- Entry Hours 2024: April 1 to September 30: 9 AM to 6 PM; October 1 to March 31: 10 AM to 5 PM
- Cost to Enter 2024: 8€
- How Much Time: this depends on how much you love birds! Count on a minimum of 1 hour but most likely longer.
- A refreshment stand is open from April to October
3. Spy A Camargue Cowboy
The Camargue has a history of cowboys on horses rounding up cattle. These “gardiens” different from North American cowboys wear a felt hat that is delightfully French. The “gardiens” participate in festivals on May 1 every year in the Arles Amphitheatre and Nîmes dressing in traditional clothing, blessing the bulls, and participating in bloodless bullfights where the object is to pluck a red ribbon from the horns of a bull.
Keep your eyes open as you explore the Camargue. Will it be your lucky day to see a French cowboy?
4. Be On The Lookout For The Famous White Horses
One of the best reasons to visit the Camargue is to catch a glimpse of the wild white horses. I have to admit, it was one of the most exciting moments of our day trip to the Camargue. The white Camargue horses are one of the most iconic symbols of this region. The origins of the Camargue’s white horses are rather uncertain but they are believed to be one of the oldest breeds in the world. They have lived in the marshes and wetlands of the Camargue for thousands of years.
The beautiful white horses are celebrated in local folklore and art and play an important part in the ecosystem through their grazing habits. The traditional local cowboys of the Camargue, les “gardians,” have historically used the white horses for herding cattle.
You can see the wild white horses of the Camargue region on a guided tour or just by sheer luck as we did. We looked up and there they were.
5. See The Salt Flats And The Pink Lakes
Be sure to visit the pink salt lakes at Aigues-Mortes (Salin d’Aigues Mortes). It’s hard to believe that salt production results in pink lakes!
Salt production in the Camargue takes place in salins or salt marshes where seawater is channelled into shallow basins. As the water evaporates from the sun and wind, salt crystals form. Once the salt crystals reach a certain size, they are ready to be harvested. The Camargue is famous for its “fleur de sel,” the thin crust on the surface of the salt ponds which is harvested by hand.
There are two salt flats to visit in the Camargue, one at Salin de Giraud and the other at Aigues-Mortes.
6. Visit Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
One of the reasons to visit the Camargue is to experience Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a small town surrounded by water, beaches and dunes. We arrived on a May afternoon during the annual pilgrimage of gypsies. After the tranquillity of the walking trails, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer was a madhouse. Roads were closed to cars, camping caravans were everywhere, and there was no parking. Festivities were well underway! With heavy hearts, we left.
This is what I found out about Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer :
According to legend, three Marys, Mary Jacobé, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Salome, arrived by boat in the Camargue after fleeing persecution in the Holy Land. They are said to have played a pivotal role in spreading Christianity in the region. Saint Sarah also known as Sara la Kali was a servant or companion of the three Marys and was considered the patron saint of the Romani and the protector of the Camargue’s Gypsies. During the annual May pilgrimage, the Fêtes des Saintes Maries, Saint Sarah is revered.
I will return to visit les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to see the church, the whitewashed houses, a bullfighting event, walk the beaches, and visit the local market on Wednesday and Friday mornings.
7. Visit Aigues-Mortes
At the very western edge of the Camargue is Aigues-Mortes, a charming walled city founded by King Louis IX of France in the 13th century. Establishing Aigues-Mortes gave the French Crown a Mediterranean port for trade and a perfect location to set sail on crusades. Louis IX departed on his crusades twice from Aigues-Mortes – the Seventh Crusade in 1248 and the Eighth Crusade in 1270 which was his last as he died in Tunis.
Aigues-Mortes is a marvel with its well-preserved wall fortifications and the glimmering pink salt flats stretching to the horizon. Wander the cobbled streets and plan a visit to Les Salins du Midi (salt flats) by electric train from Aigues-Mortes.
8. Find The Wild Black Bulls
Another iconic figure in the Camargue region is the Camargue bull. The Camargue bull is a distinct breed of cattle native to the Camargue region. They are known for their robust build and agility (hence the bullfights). They are often left to roam semi-wild in the marshlands of the Camargue. Will you spot a wild bull on your trek through the Camargue?
9. Trekking In The Camargue
Mountain bikers and hikers will find plenty of reasons to visit the Camargue! In fact, fourteen reasons! There are fourteen trails for bikers and hikers that cover all kinds of landscapes from the sea dike to the vineyards in the north, to salt marshes, and rice paddies and of course past the flamingos! Here is the trail brochure.
10. Take in A Bull Fighting Event – Camargue Style
One of the cultural reasons to visit the Camargue is to understand the traditions around bullfighting. Bullfighting Camargue style is not the same as Spanish bullfighting. In the courses Camarguaises (Camargue Bullfighting) the razeteurs (Camargue bullfighters), as mentioned above, try to pluck objects such as a string or tassel tied to the bull’s horns using a four-bladed hook held between their fingers. The razeteurs (from the word “shave”) must tire out the bull first. It’s a game of cunning on both parts. When chased, the razeteurs are known for their dramatic and powerful jumps over the low barriers to safety!
La Cocarde d’Or, the most prestigious of all the Camargue bullfights, takes place on the first Monday in July in the Arles Arena.
11. Visit A Manade
A manade in the Camargue is a traditional ranch or bull farm. The manadiers (ranchers) breed and raise the Camargue bulls with the help of Camargue cowboys (the gardiens). Head to the Manade des Baumelles to learn about the raising of Camargue bulls and watch the cowboys at work in the fields from the back of a truck! There is an optional lunch available. Cost: Tours including lunch 49€/ without lunch 28€.
Bird Watching Adventures In The Camargue
Photo Credit: “Where To Watch Birds… In The Camargue Regional Park, France”
The Camargue is the perfect spot for both amateur and serious bird watching adventures. My daughter and I arrived early in the morning at Le Capelière on the east side of the large Vaccares Pond. The parking lot was full of serious bird watchers with enormous telephoto lenses and tripods! Since flamingos are as common in this part of the Camargue Nature Park, we left and went to the Bird Sanctuary at Pont de Gau.
Not only did we see hundreds of Greater Flamingos but plenty of Grey Herons nesting and feeding their babies. We also saw sandpipers, two kinds of egrets, and plovers.
In the afternoon we returned to Le Capelière and followed the boardwalk finding Great Egrets, a white stork, two types of gulls and many more birds. The birdsong was magnificent and we used the application merlinbird id to identify the chirping.
Clearly, we barely scraped the surface of the marvellous opportunities to bird watch in the Camargue!
Facts About Flamingos
- There are six species of flamingos in the world.
- The flamingos seen in the Camargue are called the Greater Flamingo with a population of 800 000 worldwide. They are found in Africa, south-east Asia and in southern Europe.
- The flamingo is the only bird with both the long legs of waders and the webbed feet of ducks.
Other Reasons To Visit The Camargue
- Take a Boat Trip: Why not take a 2-hour boat trip to admire the Camargue Region?
- Take One of the Horseback Tours: Imagine riding through the Camargue…
- Kiteboarding: Imagine planning a holiday in Europe’s most important wetlands with your kiteboard (and binoculars!) Absolut Kiteboarding has rentals and lessons available Location: D36, Rte de Salin-de-Giraud
- The Camargue Museum (Musée de la Camargue): a museum dedicated to the region and its inhabitants situated in a renovated sheepfold. Location: D570 Mas du Pont de Rousty Entry:7€ Hours: April 1 to September 30: 9 AM to 6 PM; October 1 to March 31: 10 AM to 5 PM
Tips For Visiting The Camargue
- Bring Mosquito Repellent: Besides all the species of birds, the Camargue also attracts many different types of mosquitoes. In the summer months, in particular, it is essential to bring bug spray.
- Allow for Plenty of Time: There are multiple reasons to visit the Camargue as there are so many things to do. I found that one day was enough time to fall for this special part of France bu not enough to see everything. More exploration is needed.
- Respect The Natural World: Be responsible for preserving the beauty of the Camargue landscapes
FAQ’s The Camargue France
Is It Worth Visiting The Camargue?
Yes! There are so many reasons to visit the Camargue. It is totally worth visiting. The Camargue is a nature lovers paradise in France. Unspoiled and off the beaten path, the Camargue Regional Natural Park is full of bird species, wild horses, the Camargue bulls and holds many cultural traditions unique to this part of southern France. Of all the reasons to visit the Camargue, you are sure to come away with phenomenal memories from the natural world.
How Many Days Should I Visit The Camargue?
I would highly recommend visiting the Camargue for a minimum of 2 to 3 days. It depends on your interests but if you are a nature lover, bird watcher and interested in cultural heritage there is plenty in the Camargue to keep you interested for several days. Start with 2 or 3 days but 4 to 5 days would be ideal and not rushed.
How Do I Get To The Camargue France?
By Train: The closest train station to the Camargue is in Arles. From Arles, you can then rent a car.
By Car: There are major highways that make the Camargue very accessible. From Marseille take the A55 and A7 towards Arles, then follow the signs to the Camargue. From Montpellier take the A9 highway towards Nîmes, then follow the signs to Arles and the Camargue.
By Guided Tour: If renting a car is not part of your plan, why not take a guided tour from Arles to experience the magic of the Camargue region?
What Is The Best Way To Explore The Camargue France?
You need a car to explore the Camargue. However, you won’t see too much from the car. The best way to explore the Camargue Region of France is to walk the extensive nature trails.
I hope you are intrigued by all the reasons to visit the Camargue. It is a magical corner of France that is sure to leave indelible memories.
Until next time,
More Travel Info…
Now that you know all the reasons to visit the Camargue, what else will you visit nearby?
- St Remy de Provence: Oozes Provençal charm. Time your visit with market day.
- Avignon: Another fantastic city in Provence. Also a great base for exploring the region. Read all about Avignon.
- Arles: Why not head over to Arles, the charming town with ancient Roman monuments and where Van Gogh was inspired?
- Cassis and the Calanques the magical fishing village of Cassis, exploring the stunning inlets, and relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea.
- Hilltop Towns: Wanting to visit hilltop towns? It’s hard to decide which towns to visit. This is where we decided to go. Luberon France: Exploring Hilltowns in Provence.
- The French Riviera: The charming town of Bormes les Mimosas.
- A Little Further Afield: Provence has so many treasures to explore. The gorgeous teal waters of the Gorges du Verdon await. Spend some time kayaking on the Gorges du Verdon and then meander over to one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, for a visit.
