Séjour en Camargue
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Discovering the Camargue

The Camargue is located in the Bouches-du-Rhône and Gard departments. It is a natural region of France located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It forms a triangle covering 150,000 ha, with Arles, Le Grau-du-Roi and Fos-sur-Mer at its apex. It is also a paralic wetland that is home to many animal and plant species. It has also been classified as a biosphere reserve and a regional nature park. There are plenty of things to do in the area. They’re sure to give you a great time.

Visiting the Marais du Vigueirat

A visit to the Marais du Vigueirat is a must on any trip to the Camargue. This 1,200-hectare protected natural area combines two remarkable ecosystems. These are the Rhone delta and the steppe plain of La Crau. The marshes boast a rich diversity of flora, with a mosaic of natural wetlands. They also contain 2,000 animal and plant species. Some 300 bird species can be seen, including herons and ducks. There are 35,000 ducks in winter. The Marais de Vigueirat is also a grazing area for pure-bred bulls and horses. The site is also open to the public. This decision was taken to bring nature to a wider audience. But it also serves to raise awareness among as many people as possible of the need to protect the environment.

The Marais du Vigueirat can be explored on a self-guided tour along the Etoumeau paths. Or you can take a guided tour of the nature reserve in a horse-drawn carriage, on horseback or on foot. There is also the option of a 5km hike. This circuit is punctuated by various observatories and observation towers.

Cycle touring

For an adventure trip to the Camargue, the area is perfect for cycle tourism. You can enjoy wonderful bike rides with your family and discover magnificent landscapes: marshes, countryside, hamlets… There’s the Digue à la Mer walk, for example. This starts from the village of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and follows the sea for miles. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful, wild stretches of sansouïres and lagoons in the heart of the national reserve. In the reserve, you can see a variety of sea and brackish birds such as seagulls, terns, etc. There are also more intimate cycling routes. These take you past bull farms, vineyards, rice fields and then onto a ferry. The latter crosses a lake. On the other side, you can continue the ride by bicycle.

Relaxing on the beach at Piémanson

Piémanson beach is located in the very south of the Camargue. It is surrounded by small grassy dunes and blue Mediterranean water. With its seven kilometres of fine sand, it offers the luxury of nature, space and serenity. Piémanson is home to some incredible flora and fauna. It also offers a variety of natural environments, including sansouïres (salt marshes), reed beds, marshes and lagoons. There are plenty of things to do on Piémanson beach. For example, you can pitch your caravan or camper van right on the sand. Farniente, swimming, horse riding, cycling and walking are just some of the activities available in the area. Other activities are also possible, but in limited areas. These include motorised leisure activities and other distractions such as sand yachting and kite flying.