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The Camargue

The Camargue is a natural region located in the south of France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhone delta. It is a marshy area, dotted with lagoons, dunes and salt meadows, which is home to a wide variety of fauna and flora.

The Camargue is best known for its wild horses, the famous "Chevaux de Camargue", as well as for its Camargue bulls. Camargue horses are renowned for their white coat and agility, and are often used for horseback riding in the region.

The Camargue is also an important area for migratory bird watching, with species such as the pink flamingo, grey heron, osprey and kestrel. The Camargue's salt marshes are an important source of salt for the region, and salt production is an important traditional activity in the area.

The main towns in the Camargue are Arles, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Le Grau du Roi and Aigues-Mortes. Visitors can explore the area by bicycle, horseback or boat, and discover the many attractions of the Camargue, including traditional festivals, museums and archaeological sites.

The horses

These horses are very recognizable thanks to their white coat and their blond mane and tail.

Camargue horses have a long history in France. They have been used for agricultural work and transportation, but today they are best known for their use in horse shows and bullfights in the Camargue region.

These horses are also used for equestrian tourism and horseback riding in the Camargue region. Camargue horses are known for their endurance, strength and agility, making them ideal partners for equestrian activities.

Camargue horses are considered a wild breed, although their population is now managed by humans to ensure their survival. They are protected by French and European laws and are considered a symbol of the Camargue region.

The bulls

The Camargue bulls are a breed of bulls that are raised in the marshes and meadows of the Camargue region, located in the south of France, near the Mediterranean Sea. These bulls are characterized by their black coats and their wild and proud behavior.

Camargue bulls are used in the Camargue races, a local tradition where men try to catch ribbons tied between the bulls' horns without hurting them. These races are often associated with local festivals and celebrations.

These bulls are also used for meat, although their meat is less well known than that of more common breeds such as Charolais or Limousin cattle. Camargue bull breeders work closely with local authorities to protect this unique breed and ensure its long-term survival.

The pink flamingos

The pink flamingos are emblematic birds of the Camargue. They live mainly in the salt ponds of the region, where they feed on micro-organisms and small crustaceans.

Flamingos are known for their bright pink plumage and long thin legs. Their characteristic color is due to their diet, which is rich in pink pigments. Flamingos are also famous for their courtship rituals, in which the males perform complex dances to woo the females.

The Camargue is home to a large population of flamingos, which attract many tourists and birders each year. The region is also an important breeding ground for these birds, where they build their nests and raise their young.

It is important to protect the habitat of the Camargue's flamingos to ensure the survival of this iconic species. Human activities such as pollution and habitat destruction can threaten flamingo populations, so it is important to raise awareness and educate them about the need to preserve this unique area.


The must-haves

  1. Visit the Camargue Regional Nature Park: located 30 minutes from Arles, the park offers beautiful walks in a preserved natural environment, with many animal species to observe. Website : https://www.parc-camargue.fr/

  2. Explore the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes: these have been exploited since Roman times and offer magnificent scenery, with pink flamingos, salt marshes, etc. Website :htps://www.visitesalinsdecamargue.com/

  3. Take a boat trip on the Rhône: several companies offer boat trips to observe the landscapes of the Camargue from the Rhône river. Website : https://www.croisiere-de-camargue.com/

  4. Discover the city of Arles: this city steeped in history has many sites to visit, such as the Roman amphitheatre, the church of Saint-Trophime, the Réattu museum, etc. Website : https://www.arlestourisme.com/

  5. Go horse-riding: the Camargue is famous for its white horses, the famous "Camargue horses". Many stables offer horse-riding in the region. Here are a few addresses, cliquez ici

The beaches

Here are some of the most beautiful beaches of the Camargue

  • Plage de l'Espiguette : located east of the city of Grau-du-Roi, this fine sandy beach is one of the largest beaches in Europe. It is bordered by wild dunes and offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean.

Contact details : 43.5048° N, 4.1079° E

  • Beauduc beach : this isolated beach is located in a protected area, west of the Camargue. It is accessible only by car, by taking a sandy track.

Contact details : 43.3724° N, 4.6089° E

  • Piémanson beach : located in the west of the Camargue, this fine sandy beach is also accessible by car by taking a sandy track. It is known to be a naturist beach.

Contact details : 43.4083° N, 4.5703° E

  • Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer beach: located in the heart of the city of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, this fine sandy beach is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and the city. It is very popular with tourists.

Contact details : 43.4524° N, 4.4289° E

  1. Beauduc Beach East : this fine sandy beach is located east of Beauduc beach. It is accessible by taking a sand track.

Contact details : 43.3808° N, 4.6565° E


It is important to note that some beaches in the Camargue can be dangerous due to strong currents and the presence of rocky areas. It is therefore recommended to respect the safety instructions and to get information before swimming.


Getting around

To get around the Camargue, here is some useful information:

Road access: The Camargue is accessible by car from nearby cities such as Arles, Nîmes or Montpellier. The main access roads are the A54 highway and the N113 and N572 national roads.

Access by train: The closest train station to the Camargue is Arles. It is served by TER and TGV trains from Paris, Marseille, Avignon and Montpellier. From Arles station, you can take a bus or rent a car to go to the Camargue.

Access by bus: Several bus lines serve the Camargue from neighboring towns. The main operators are the Edgard company and the Nîmes-Métropole company. You can check the schedules and fares on their respective websites.

Useful phone numbers :

  • Arles Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20

  • Edgard Company : +33 (0)4 66 22 04 15

  • Company Nîmes-Métropole : +33 (0)4 66 29 07 27

Useful website: The website of the Arles Tourist Office offers practical information on the Camargue, as well as ideas for visits and activities:https://www.arlestourisme.com/fr/la-camargue.html


What to do in case of bad weather ?

voici quelques suggestions d'activités en intérieur :

  1. Musée Fabre Montpellier Site internet : https://museefabre.montpellier3m.fr/

  2. Planet OceanSite internet : https://www.planetoceanworld.fr/

  3. Cinéma Multiplexe Odysseum à Montpellier Site internet : https://www.pathe.fr/cinemas/cinema-gaumont-montpellier-multiplexe

  4. Bowling Star Montpellier : https://bowlingstar.fr/

  5. Casino Flamingo Grau du Roi - Adresse : 100 Route de l'Espiguette, 30240 Le Grau-du-Roi - Téléphone : +33 4 66 51 10 00 - Site internet : https://casino-grau-du-roi.fr/

  6. Le Musée de la Camargue Site web : https://www.museedelacamargue.com/

  7. Le Musée Réattu Adresse : Site web : http://www.museereattu.arles.fr/

  8. Le Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau Adresse : Site web : https://www.parcornithologique.com/

  9. Le Seaquarium Adresse : Avenue du Palais de la Mer, 30240 Le Grau-du-Roi Téléphone : 04 66 51 82 65 Site web : https://www.seaquarium.fr/

  10. La Galerie d'Art La Hune Site web : http://www.la-hune.com/

  11. La Galerie L'Atelier de la Main d'Or Site web : https://www.atelierlamaindor.fr/expositionsIt is important to check the opening hours and closing days of each establishment before visiting.



Our favorite :

The Kawa Theater is a theater located in Montpellier with humorous plays

Adress : 18 Rue Fouques,

34000 Montpellier

Phone : +33 4 67 58 15 45

It is best to book your tickets in advance




Restaurant LE VIVIER, our favourite restaurant in Grau du Roi.

Quality and freshness of maer products arriving daily.

Traditional Mediterranean cuisine.

Fish and seafood from the Gard.

Very friendly welcome.


From Pascale and Philippe

Don't forget to book on +33 4 66 53 23 36











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