a) Theme
Hiking the Camargue has been likened to hiking the "French Texas" due to its wild and untamed nature. Yet the comparison ends there. The Camargue is a unique and magical country, where preserved natural spaces share a fragile sanctuary with man’s economic and domestic endeavours.
The themes covered by Hiking the Camargue are threefold:
1. An exceptional natural environment marked by river and sea. The Rhône is the only river in France that has a delta. This has given rise to a mosaic of environments, including salt plains, lagoons and dunes, salt and freshwater marshes and reed beds, pasture land and forest. When hiking in France in the Camargue, a variety of walking experiences is guaranteed.
2. Hiking the Camargue immerses you in an area of outstanding European flora and fauna: rare plant species like the glasswort, giant Provençal reeds and the summer sand lily - of the 4700 species of flowering plants recorded in France, over 1000 are found in the Camargue; yes, the ubiquitous white horses and black bulls, but also thousands of birds who breed or use it as a resting place on the great north-south migratory route, such as the white egrets (often seen sitting on the backs of horses or bulls) and the emblematic pink (great) Flamingos, our adopted friends, who have chosen La Camargue as their only regular nesting ground in Europe.
3. The diverse economic activity that has evolved as a result of local circumstances, especially the ‘war on water’ between stakeholders about what constitutes the appropriate water and salinity level at any given time: the growers of the protected Camargue rice; the winemakers of the unique ‘sand wine’; the producers of salt for culinary and chemical use and for the manufacture of Marseille Soap; reed harvesters, the largest in France and, last but not least, the 7000 permanent inhabitants of the Delta who require water for drinking.
As one of our most popular walking holidays in France, you will have the opportunity to explore these issues on the ground and witness the splendour of this protected, fragile, ecosystem. Binoculars are de rigeur.
b) Further Information
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For a France short walking break of the same theme, see Camargue Hiking.
See our alternative walking holidays in France that focus on the western zone of the Rhône delta and Camargue:
Hiking Petite Camargue,
and
© Clothilde Tomei
c) Model Programme: Hiking the Camargue
Day 1. Aigues-Mortes.
Arrival at this walled town on the Canal du Rhone at Sete and the chance to walk its imposing and perfectly preserved ramparts and streets, before visiting France’s largest wine domaine and sampling probably the best accompaniment for seafood that exists.
Night at Aigues-Mortes.
Day 2. Gallician. 10 kms-6.5 miles.
This walk between the canal du Midi and du Rhone takes you through the land of the bull and alongside lagoons and the largest reed beds in France. Then it’s off to a large panoramic space which gives a year-round view of a marsh, where large numbers of waterbirds nest and spend the winter.
Second night at Aigues-Mortes.
Day 3. St-Maries. 8 kms-5 miles.
This walk takes you along beach and over dune, along canal, past lagoon and dyke and offers opportunities to see flamingos, grey herons, cormorants and gulls as well as fishermen and their catches of clams - and the chance of a dip. Later on, another 3.5 km/2 mile trail, taking around 2 hours to walk, crossing pastures, crops, marsh land and reed beds, with their bird life, which can be seen from an observation post.
Night at Les Saintes.
Day 4. National Reserve. 6 kms-4 miles.
Today you start by walking a couple of protected pathways en route to observation points in search of tufted herons, coots, tree creepers and flamingos. Then it’s off to a varied experience of marshland, pasture and salt flats, home to herds of bull and wild horse. All year round you’ll see a great variety of herons; in summer, bee eaters and white waders and in winter, species of ducks and great herons.
Night at hotel in Camargue.
Day 5. The sea dike. Three walk options: 5 kms-3 miles, 10 kms-6 miles or 18 kms-12 miles.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll gain remarkable views of sea, lagoon and salt plain positively rippling with wildlife, especially at day break and dusk. Later you visit some salt lagoons and dunes in search of flamingos.
Second night at hotel in Camargue.
Day 6. The coastal plains and banks of the Rhone
Today we walk some protected lagoons, salt plains and marshland, where ducks, herons and pink flamingos abound. Then you have the choice of walking a trail beside a vast freshwater ‘inland sea’, with rice fields or an observation platform important for many species of migrating and nesting bird.
Night in Arles.
Day 7. Arles – urban walk
Originally a Celtic city, colonized by the Greeks and later by Julius Caesar, Arles is a city of art and culture in the true tradition, with many of its buildings listed as Unesco world heritage monuments. This urban walk covers 2000 years of history.
Second night in Arles.
Day 8. End of your hiking tour in France
To motorway, airport or rail station after breakfast.
d) Access
Easy and convenient access by car is from the north, dir. Lyon, via the A7 autoroute, or by the A9 from Montpellier or Nimes.
Nearest TGV rail stations are Montpellier or Nimes, and Nimes or Montpellier airports are even nearer - why not arrrange to collect your hire car from either of these options?
Total driving time is approx. 30 minutes from Montpellier airport and 45 from Nimes. You will need a few Euros if driving from Nimes to pay the motorway toll.