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The Camargue is a marshy area located in southern France.Such an uninviting description hides so many things to see, and in this post I list the 10 best things to see in Camargue. In fact, the Camargue starts from the Roman town of Arles and stretches south for more than 30 km. When visiting the Camargue, you can see historic towns, magnificent natural landscapes, bulls, wild horses and, most importantly, Europe’s largest colony of flamingos!
The Camargue is one of my favorite areas of France. Its proximity to Italy also helps a lot in organizing a trip to Camargue. A great idea for visiting the Camargue is to renting a car, starting from Avignon or Marseille: Discovercars is a great solution, highly recommended!
Here, then, is my personal list of what to see and do in Camargue!
10 best things to see in Camargue: Pont de Gau
The list of what to see and do in Camargue begins with the splendid ornithological park of Pont de Gau. In this park you can admire the beautiful flamingos: there are seven kilometers of trails that allow you to observe these beautiful birds from a relatively close position.
The Pont de Gau is open year-round. An entrance fee must be paid and you must enter the park before 6 p.m.: on the other hand, you can stay until sunset time (I recommend checking the official information on the official website).
The best season to see the flamingos resplendent in their typical pink color is in October or November-I personally went in July and was not disappointed in the least!
10 best things to see in Camargue: Salin de Giraud
Salin de Giraud is one of my favorite places in the Camargue. This is an industrial site built in 1856-the purpose, of course, was salt extraction. Now you can see the largest salt flats in Europe that boast spectacular colors. In fact, the pink color (blinding at times) is due to a very special salt algae.
The best season to admire the salt flats is summer. There are two spectacular viewpoints over the salt flats of Giraud: they are marked on the Camargue map that you can find a few lines below.
What to see in Camargue: Piemanson beach
Also in the summer season, you can venture an additional ten kilometers to the beautiful beach of Piemanson, best known for kitesurfing. The road to Piemanson is a true wonder!
Piemanson beach is a good seven kilometers long. Bathing at Piemanson is not recommended because of its currents, which are very strong at times.
What to see in Camargue: Saintes Maries de la Mer
Saintes Maries de la Mer, with its white houses and sandy beaches, is certainly one of the most important centers of the Camargue.
The Church of Saintes Maries de la Mer is the town’s most important monument. Its construction dates back to the 9th century: in the beginning it also had a defensive role. Even today, in fact, from the roof of the church it is possible to admire a splendid view of the area: you have to pay four euros to climb the 50 steps to the roof. It is definitely worth it, as this video shows!
The town’s name comes from the three Marys of Catholic tradition: according to legend, they landed in this area around 48 AD. In addition to the three Marys, Sara’s role is noteworthy: she is considered the patron saint of gypsy culture, which is very important in Camargue. In particular, the Pilgrimage of the Gypsies is celebrated on May 24.
Map of the 10 best things to see in Camargue
10 best things to do in Camargue: biking in Camargue Park
One of the best ways to visit the Camargue is to rent a bike and travel at a slow pace. From Saintes Maries de la Mer begins a route of about fifteen kilometers, totally flat, that allows you to savor the quintessence of the Camargue.
In fact, this ride, which leads to the Domaine de Mejanes by crossing the Camargue Park, allows you to admire horses, bulls and flamingos: biking in Camargue is a wonderful idea! The route passes by the ponds of Monro and Vaccares-the views are spectacular! At the Domaine de Mejanes you can find a bar where you can refresh yourself.
The last 15 kilometers of this route on Komoot are exactly the same as the route just described.
In Saintes Maries de la Mer there are several stores that rent bikes: rentals range from an hour to a full day.
What to see in Camargue: Aigues Mortes
Aigues Mortes is another small town worth visiting in Camargue. The small town of eight thousand inhabitants, named after the typical Camargue ponds, is home to ancient medieval walls. The most beautiful spot on these walls features the Constance Tower, built in 1248.
Aigues Mortes is also home to a very beautiful church, dating back to the 12th century: Notre Dame des Sablons. I highly recommend spending a night in Aigues Mortes: at night, in fact, the town no longer has the crowds of tourists that frequent it during the day. Aigues Mortes also boasts a wonderful brewery: Eurl M V D S. Council Hotel des 4 Vents, excellent!
What to do in Camargue: biking from Aigues Mortes to Espiguette
From Aigues Mortes it is also possible to embark on a splendid bike tour. In just five kilometers it is possible to reach another splendid village: le Grau du Roi. These five kilometers are a true paradise for cyclists. In fact, I pedaled along a bike path that passes by the Etang du Medard: there are lots of flamingos there!
After passing through the village of Grau du Roi, I recommend cycling an additional eight kilometers to Plage de l’Espiguette. Here you can admire beautiful dunes, a magnificent beach and a beautiful lighthouse.
I recommend renting a bike in Aigues Mortes for the whole day!
What to see in Camargue: historic Arles
Arles, with its 50,000 inhabitants, is the most important center of the Camargue. Its history dates back to the Roman Republican age: during the civil war Arles sided with Caesar, on the side of the future victors. This choice made Arles one of the most prosperous cities in the entire Roman Province.
First and foremost among the attractions of Arles is the amphitheater (now called Arenes d’Arles). Dating back to the first century AD, the Roman amphitheater held about twenty thousand people. The amphitheater hosted major Roman events: it was the scene of challenges between gladiators. In the same era the ancient Roman theater was built: it is located near the amphitheater.
Place de la Republique is the real center of Arles: it houses an obelisk, the cloister of St. Trophime and the chapel of St. Anne.
Also in the vicinity of Arles, about four kilometers away, the medieval abbey of Montmajour is worth a visit. Logis Hotel is a great choice for sleeping!
What to see in Camargue: the artistic Arles
Arles, over the years, became a city of residence for various artists: Vincent Van Gogh stands out in importance. One of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings, Terrasse de Cafe La Nuit, depicts a cafรฉ in Arles: it still exists and is located in Place du Forum!
There are many attractions in Arles dedicated to Van Gogh: the most important is definitely the Vincent Van Gogh Foundation, which tells the story of the Dutch painter in Arles.
Near Arles, about three kilometers away, is the Van Gogh Bridge, depicted in a work by the Dutch painter. Currently the bridge is called the Langlois Bridge.
Van Gogh lovers, however, should not miss a visit to St. Remy en Provence. This town is only a half-hour drive from Arles: I describe it in the Avignon post.
10 best things to do in Camargue: la course camarguaise
This is the most debatable of the things to do in the Camargue. In fact, in this area of France it is possible to participate in the typical bullfight, called course camarguaise. This is a spectacle much loved by French people and tourists: the protagonists are the raseteurs, non-professional bullfighters. The raseteurs’ task is to subtract with a crochet (a kind of comb) the rosettes placed on the bull’s head and horns.
The course camarguaise does not involve the killing of the bull: I saw one event and, frankly, it left me a little displeased. In fact, in my opinion, the bull, in the eight minutes that it runs away from the rasetuers, struggles quite a bit. It is up to you to go and witness this event: I leave a video explaining what it is all about.
Arles’ own amphitheater also hosts the course camarguaise: every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. the amphitheater remains open for this event only, at a cost of eleven euros.
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USEFUL INFORMATION ON WHAT TO SEE IN CAMARGUE
- In Arles I ate very well at Le Q.G. , at l’Affenage and also at Cafe Van Gogh. The brewery l’Echoppe is very good.
- In Saintes Maries de la Mer I absolutely recommend La Cave in Huitres.
- A trip to Provence, in my opinion, deserves three days of time. In a week’s time, it is possible to combine this itinerary in Camargue with that of Avignon.
- The best season to visit the Camargue is summer: there are many events in and around Arles during the warm season. The Camargue is famous for mosquitoes: definitely bring a spray in the summer season!
- The budget for a trip to the Camargue is quite high. Unfortunately, in fact, eating in restaurants in and around Arles is expensive. Generally, the cost of a dinner is around 30 euros. Even a draft beer costs around 8 euros.
- Arles is a wonderful base for visiting the Camargue. As I said, however, a night in Aigues Mortes is fascinating. I recommend Logis Hotel in Arles and Hotel des 4 vents in Aigues Mortes.
- What to see in Camargue then? I choose the bird park, salt flats and amphitheater!
