5 Reasons to Visit the Camargue
Take a road trip to a world away from lavender-scented fields, perched villages, and candy-coloured shutters. Head to the Camargue!
The marshland and brackish waters where the Rhone River finally meets the Mediterranean define Provence’s “wild west.” Created in 1986, the natural wetland preserve is 100,000 hectares in size (read more here).
Here are five (5) reasons to add the Camargue to your Provence bucket list:
The White Horses
Striking white manes and mottled grey-white coats characterize the traditional horses that appear, almost like ghosts, in this swampy terrain. In the equine world, the Camargue horse has been officially recognized by the National Stud Farms since March 17, 1978 — a faithful, even-tempered, sturdy working animal. This horse is a rustic mammal that lives semi-feral within the marshes of the manades (ranches).
Typically, there are several broodmares to a single stallion and foals are born in the wild wearing strangely dark coats, which begin to fade after about three to four years. As yearlings, the foals are branded with the symbol of the manade and separated from their mothers. At the age of three, the males begin training, this is a delicate operation for the gardians (cowboys) who must progressively gain the horses’ confidence.
The Bulls
Black as the night you do not want to meet this creature in a dark alley or tempt fate in the wilds of the Camargue. Bred for show or their meat taureaux (bulls) are never domesticated. The bulls destined for work – games in the arenas or runs in the streets – are identified early. The Camargue bulls (raço di biou) are stocky, never much higher than 4-5 feet with long horns that point to the sky. Horns on Spanish fighting bulls are oriented toward the earth.
The breeding of bulls like the rearing of Camargue horses is extensive, with roughly 120 cowherds about 20,000 animals (2011 numbers). At a year old, the calves receive the ferrade (brand) of their manade. In winter months, the animals grow a coarse coat to protect themselves against cooler temperatures this tends to cover the mark. Ear cutting is permitted so that the bulls can be identified from a safe distance.
The meat “Taureau de Camargue” received the designation of origin (AOC) in the late 1990s. The animals feed exclusively on typical plants and grasses of the Camargue, never grain, resulting in a lean, organic protein.
Pink Flamingos
This brackish wetland is, in fact, where two branches of the Rhone River join the sea to form the largest Mediterranean delta after the Nile. It is a bird’s paradise with over 340 species; one of the most recognized is the pink flamingo. In the 1970s, a program was developed to protect the flamingos in the Camargue. Scientists created an artificial island on l’étang du Fangassier to encourage a breeding program, which has been highly successful, with some 10-15,000 couples reproducing a year.
Guided tours are available during the spring and summer months. To read more details on the birds, click here.
The Camargue Cross
Not quite a Latin cross like everything else in the Camargue this emblem is distinctive, with three virtues to fused into one symbol:
- The cross for faith – with a three-pronged fork used by the gardians (cowboys)
- The anchor for hope – recognition of the importance of the sea to the life of the region
- The heart for charity
In Provence terms, the cross is not very old. It was developed by sculptor Hermann Paul in 1924 as a commission for Marquis of Baroncelli.
The Cowboys
Maybe this should be the #1 reason these are ruggedly handsome men!
Do you want to visit?
Here, are a couple of recommendations:
There are many ways to visit the Camargue, but if you are pressed for time, consider hiring a local to give you a tour. We recommend Jerry Perkins Visite Camargue a local character with hours of stories to answer any questions you might have.
Alternatively, spend a half-day at a manade to learn a bit more about the traditions. We recommend Manade Cavallini.
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14 Comments
I found you via the #AllAboutFrance linky and look forward to reading your posts. A friend and I went to the Camargue about 3 years ago (she is a great riding fan). It was a fantastic experience – the light, the wildlife, the wide open spaces. I must admit to being more of a mountain girl, but it was certainly worth going. We were particularly taken with Arles, a town I had not previously visited, and am looking forward to going back some day. Fabulous photos in your post.
Many thanks Vanessa. The Camargue is unique with it’s natural setting and definitely worth more than one visit. Thanks for reading.
Thanks for this article. The Camargue has been on my list of places to visit for quite some time. I’ll save this for future reference.
Hi Curious Rambler – the problem with travel bucket lists is they are so long! Yes, for sure make a visit to the Camargue in the future you will not be disappointed.
Oh yes, the cowboys should definitely be n°1! Joking aside these are 5 very good reasons to visit this beautiful part of France. I didn’t know about the cross. I would also add gypsy culture, wild beaches and salt & rice production. I love it there, it’s so different form my part of southern France, now I want to go again. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutFrance
Hi Phoebe – you are right there are definitely more than 5 reasons to visit the Camargue.
I love the Camargue! These photos are fantastic! Time for me to visit the area again. You’ve reminded me how beautiful it is. :)
Hi Lisa: we agree the Camargue is really a special place to visit.
beautiful photos! #all about france
Thanks Tanja
We crossed off the first three on your list on our last visit to Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer – I just love the region. And the fresh seafood!!! I could eat it breakfast, lunch and dinner! Thanks for bringing me back to the sea :) Visiting via #AllAbout France
Hello it sounds like you left a little Camargue for you next trip. I do hope you at least caught a glimpse of a cute cowboy :-) Thanks for reading.
The Camargue wasn’t really on my radar till now, thanks to you! It looks so wild and beautiful… and I know the salt is good! :)
Haha David I was not certain we could show Cocoa and Lavender any new treasures. Yes, the salt is great, but so is Gardiane de taureau. A possible future wine and food pairing? If, you have not already done that one.