Explore Provence’s Camargue and Vin de Sables Vineyards

The Camargue, in the southernmost region of France, spreads over more than 360 square miles of pastureland and wetlands formed by the two branches of the River Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. It creates the largest river delta in Europe. Between its lagoons, reed beds, dunes, and pine forests, which provide a habitat for hundreds of species of birds and animals, the unique soil of the Camargue produces an exceptional variety of wines distinguished by their name, freshness, and balance. Discover the Sable de Camargue vineyards in the original article by Barefoot Blogger. We share more ideas for exploring Provence’s Camargue below, including natural settings, animals, and beautiful vistas.

Explore Provence’s Camargue

The Camargue is like the Wild West of the South of France, with beaches, black bulls, ancient fortresses, and pink flamingos. Situated between the Cote d’Azur and the Languedoc-Roussillon regions, this part of Provence feels less explored. It’s an exciting region to visit with kids, as there is much to learn about nature.

©Camille Moirenc

The Rhône Glacier, located high in the Swiss Alps, is the river’s source. By volume, the Rhône waterway is one of Europe’s largest rivers. The Saône River joins the Rhône in Lyon, turning south towards the Mediterranean. Just south of Arles, the river divides into two branches, the Grand Rhône and Petit Rhône, both of which join the sea in the Camargue. The result is a marshy, brackish area home to semi-feral bulls (taureaux), white horses, pink flamingos and the odd mosquito.

Long before roads, trains and airplanes, the Rhône was critical for trade during the Greek and Roman eras. However, the River was difficult to navigate, with flooding, wild currents and annoying, shallow parts. The French State undertook infrastructure improvements in 1885 and 1905 to raise the water levels in shallower sections to 1.60 metres. Established in 1933, the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) assumed responsibility for safer navigation, development of hydroelectric power and the management of irrigation for agriculture in the region.

Provence’s Camargue is defined by the marshland and brackish waters where the Rhone River finally meets the Mediterranean. Established in 1986, it has been partially protected as a nature preserve since 1927. The 100,000-hectare natural wetland is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve managed by the Parc naturel régional de Camargue. There are many reasons to visit this part of Provence.

Parc naturel régional de Camargue (website)
Mas du Pont de Rousty
13200 Arles
Telephone +33 (0)4 90 97 10 40

Camargue’s Wildlife

Birds: 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.

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.

©Alain Poirot

Horses: Striking white manes and mottled grey-white coats characterize the traditional horses that appear, almost like ghosts, in this swampy terrain. The National Stud Farms have officially recognized the Camargue horse 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).

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the Gypsys

The capital of the Camargue, Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, is a small fishing village dating from the 4th century, set among mistral-whipped landscapes and sandy beaches that rim the Mediterranean. It is here that the Pèlerinage des gitans, a pilgrimage of the Romas, has been formally taking place every year from May 24-25 since 1448 to honor Sarah, the patron saint of the Romas. A small black woman rests in the crypt of Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, the ancient church in the village. According to one of the many legends, Sarah was already in the Camargue region as early as the first century when a boat full of Marys arrived: Mary Jacobe, Mary Salome and Mary Magdalene. Sarah waded into the Mediterranean to help them to the shore.

Camargue’s Salt Flats

Generally, sea salt is more expensive than table salt. Foodie connoisseurs prefer sea salt, arguing that it tastes more pleasurable despite the added cost and neutral health benefits. As such, many regions compete energetically for the consumer’s salty dollar. One area is the marshy, coastal Camargue; this part of Provence is quite literally the Bouches du Rhône (Mouths of the Rhone).  The salt flats or salins in the Camargue (near Aigues Mortes and Salins-de-Giraud) generate over two million tons of sea salt annually. From April until October, water from the Mediterranean flows into a series of channels and evaporation pans running 60 km. Over the summer, the water changes from a salt content of 26 g to over 260 g per litre.