A family walking holiday in France, hiking and touring in Camargue Provence
This is one of our family walking holidays in France that takes you deep into Camargue country. Hiking Petite Camargue commences from your single-centre base at La Grande Motte, 10 miles east of Montpellier on the Mediterranean coast. You hike Provençal boulevards and fishing ports, walk the canals and ramparts of The Petite Camargue and the Golfe du Lion coastline, as well as hike the heritage trails of Montpellier and Arles. A truly spectacular light family walking holiday in France.
Fact File
- A self-guided, centre-based hiking trip, with light hiking and afternoon options
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A drive-hike tour, using a hire car or your own car, starting and finishing at The Grande Motte.
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Seven nights, with six days of hiking and arrivals any day, all year round.
Please click through the headings below or simply scroll on down the page.
g) Prices
a) Theme
Hiking Petite Camargue is one of our range of family walking holidays in France that optimises light self-guided hiking and independent travel by hire car or your own vehicle. It's single-centre walking for added convenience, and hike-wise, it afords a perfect balance between urban and coastal walking in Mediterranean Languedoc and Provence.
Hiking Petite Camargue is best done from arguably Europe’s greenest coastal resort, La Grande Motte. This eco-friendly port boasts 385 hectares of lawn and green space, over 28,000 trees and 20 kilometres of pedestrianised pathways and trails. Constructed with the good life in mind, if you are looking for somewhere for swimming, multi-sports and excellent seafood restaurants and, yes, hiking, then there is nowhere better than here. This architectural gem is the ideal base from which to hike the Mediterranean coast, explore the many splendours of La Petite Camargue and walk the coastal strip bordering the Golf du Lion.
As with all of our family walking holidays in France, Hiking the Petite Camargue and the Golfe du Lion will see you pumping sea air into your lungs, and learning about the history, flora and fauna of this sun-soaked territory. You will walk coastal trails and river banks, hike along canals and beside lagoons. During your urban walks in Montpellier and Arles, you will enjoy some of the most inspired architecture that man has gifted the Earth.
b) Further Information
c) Model Programme: Hiking Petite Camargue
Day 1 La Grande Motte.
Your three-mile familiarization walk will have you marvelling at its 1970’s chic architecture, inspired by the Mexican pyramids as well as its oasis of varied flora. Then enjoy a swim or dine in one of the promenade’s highly- recommended restaurants, a number of which provide live music.
Day 2 Etang du Ponant. 3 miles-5 kms, with longer option.
One of the mysteries of the region’s most tempestuous of rivers is lain to rest today as you discover the point where it flows into the Mediterranean. Follow its right bank before crossing a stream and rounding the lagoon before walking back beside the pine trees of Boucanet wood. Then you visit Le Gard's primary fishing port, Le Grau du Roi, with its narrow streets, spacious beach and canal walk.
Day 3 Les Saintes Maries de la Mer – 8 kms-3.5 miles.
This walk takes you through pink flamingo, white horse and black bull paradise. A memorable walk that takes you along a spit, across a dam, over bridges and past “les cabanes de gardian”, traditional homes to both shepherd and fisherman.
Day 4 Les Portes du Vidourle. 7 kms-3 miles.
Today you go off in search of the Petite Camargue’s equivalent to the Thames Barrier. Whilst nevertheless grateful for its existence, you will doubtless prefer to revel in your dreamlike state along sunny and shady pathways, canal or across woodland, with only the occasional barge to break the song of the herons.
In the afternoon, you tread the sacred streets of medieval Aigues-Mortes, an immaculately-preserved walled town with ramparts and views that will leave you drooling.
Day 5 Montpellier -urban walk options.
Today you bid a short farewell to your coastal pursuits and take one of our urban France hiking tours. Montpellier is our favourite city in France for multifarious reasons – the merging of diverse architectural epochs into a metropolitan whole belies belief; its championing of the rights of the common citizen is laudable; its parks and gardens the model to and envy of other aspiring green conurbations; and its multi- cultural vivacity means that life never stops. Park up outside the City, take a scenic ride on the best of tramways and enjoy an urban walk that will make your mouthwater.
Day 6 Gallician. 10 kms-7 miles.
Today you explore the tale of two canals, Le Rhone and le Rhone a Sete. You will find yourself immersed in a taurine world of marshland and the largest reed bed in France. And for the ornithologist, it’s the chance to watch bee eaters and rollers at work. Pont des Tourradons.
Day 7 Arles.
You finish the week with some urban hiking in France that takes you back in time to classical antiquity - Ancient theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the prettiest cobbled street in France. No wonder budding painters from the world over flock to Arles in search of the light.
Day 8 End of your hiking tour in France
But still time for a walk around La Couchant at 3 kms – 2 miles (or a longer version at 5 kms – 3 miles) before departing for the airport.
Notes:
I. Out-door swimming pool is normally available at your hotel from mid-May to mid-September.
II. The lengths of hikes on this France hiking programme can be tailored to your requirements. Options exist for Montpellier and Arles.
Optional extras
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Multi-sport options: swimming- beach or aqua park; canoeing; tennis; golf; thallasotherapie; fishing; sailing; canal barge; others.
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Bird life park & observation centre; The Camargue Museum; France's largest wine domaine; The Vincent Van Gogh Foundation.
d) Access
La Grande Motte is located on the Med., just east of Montpellier and on the fringe of The Camargue. 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. 20 minutes from Montpellier airport and 45 from Nimes. You will need a few Euros if driving from Nimes to pay the motorway toll.
e) Accommodation: Hiking Petite Camargue
You stay in La Grande Motte:
• 2-star hotel with en-suite facilities
• Out-door swimming pool
• Within easy walking distance of the beach and the town centre.
Notes: Optional upgrade to a 3-star hotel - POA
 
f) What's included in Hiking Petite Camargue
Included
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7 nights accommodation in a comfortable 2-star hotel, with en suite facilities
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Hiking Insight Notes™ that empower & make orientation easy
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Themed vacation dossier
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Comprehensive travel notes & logistical information;
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Emergency telephone help-line service with local British backup
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Loan of mobile phone where required - subject to availability
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Holiday taxes.
Not included
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All meals
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Single room - unless booking at single person rate
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Private hotel parking
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Hir car, insurance or gas/petrol
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Travel and entrances to a multitude of optional sports and cultural opportunities
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Travel, walking and personal insurance
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Personal expenses.
g) Prices: 2010: Hiking Petite Camargue
1 April to 30 September
Price per person based on 2 persons sharing: £370.00 or €410.00 or $615.00.
1 October to 31 March
Price per person based on 2 persons sharing: £299.00 or €330.00 or $495.00.
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