the Camargue

There is no exact etymology of the word Camargue, subject to many hypotheses. This word could come from a Celto-Ligurian (Provençal) Ca-mar dialect meaning “field covered with water”. Another possibility, based on archival documents, would give it a Latin origin, which would correspond to the domain of Senator Camars, a great landowner whose family dominated the city of Arles in the first century. The Camargue is a 150,000 ha swampy area formed by the Rhone Delta and the Mediterranean Sea. It is…

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There is no exact etymology of the word Camargue, subject to many hypotheses. This word could come from a Celto-Ligurian (Provençal) Ca-mar dialect meaning “field covered with water”. Another possibility, based on archival documents, would give it a Latin origin, which would correspond to the domain of Senator Camars, a great landowner whose family dominated the city of Arles in the first century.

The Camargue is a 150,000 ha swampy area formed by the Rhone Delta and the Mediterranean Sea. It is the second largest delta of the Mediterranean and, like all deltas, forms a triangle whose ends are Le Grau du Roi, Arles and Fos sur Mer.

The Camargue is divided into 3 parts:

  • The little Camargue, west of the little Rhône
  • The island of Camargue (or large Camargue), between the two arms of the Rhône
  • Le Plan Bourg, east of the Grand Rhône

Under the influence of the fresh water of the Rhône and the salt water of the Mediterranean Sea, the sun and the wind, the Camargue has formed two distinct landscape zones. To the north, the Camargue fluvio-lacustre consists mainly of freshwater marshes that have enabled the development of agriculture, while to the south, the Camargue laguno-marine, under the influence of salt, has fostered the birth of its own unique ecosystem adapted to the salinity of its marshes and saltwater bodies. In the centre, the Vaccarès Pond covers nearly 6,300 ha and ensures the transition between these two worlds. The diversity of its fauna and flora, both wild and attractive, makes the Camargue one of the largest wetland reserves in Europe. Various protection measures have multiplied to promote the protection of this exceptional natural heritage. In 1928 the botanical and zoological reserve was created and in 1970 the pond of Vaccarès and its surroundings are classified as Regional Natural Park of Camargue. Many other sites such as the Scamandre reserve or the Espiguette plain are also protected by various statutes.

Camping Abri de Camargue : front de mer Grau-du-Roi

The beaches near the campsite

Coming at a campsite in Le Grau du Roi/Port Camargue is above all for sunny and water holidays. On the programme: beaches for every taste and various activities around the sea.

Voir Beaches in Grau-du-Roi
Un univers de marais salants

History of the Camargue

There is no exact etymology of the word Camargue, subject to variation. many hypotheses. This word could come from a Celto-Ligurian dialect (provençal) Ca-mar meaning « field covered with water. Another possibility, based on archival documents, would give it a Latin origin, which would correspond to the domain of Senator Camars, a large landowner whose family dominated the city of Arles in the 1st century .

Voir History of the Camargue
Vue de Camargue, Soft Camargue Wake-up Nathalie

Domaine de Méjanes
Safari 4x4 pour visiter la Camargue Autrement

Safari 4x4 : otherwise to discover Camargue

The Camargue Horse

The Camargue horse is said to be one of the oldest breeds in the world even if its origin remains a great mystery.

Voir The Camargue Horse
Parc Ornithologique du Pont De Gau, photo de Julien Maury

Pont de Gau ornithological park
Balade à cheval en Camargue avec Abrivado Ranch

Horse riding and hiking

Our partner Abrivado Ranch is an equestrian center located in Grau-du-Roi in the Camargue gardoise, which invites you to discover the Camargue through horseback riding.

Trotting and galloping, you will have the pleasure of traversing the typical landscapes of the small Camargue: Espiguette beach located not far from the equestrian center, pine forests and wild dunes.

Beginner or experienced rider, the equestrian center at Grau du Roi, in the Gard (30) introduces you to horseback riding in the heart of nature. It is in this exceptional environment that we also provide horse riding lessons for children.
Open all year round, Abrivado Ranch offers group rates, a shaded refreshment bar and equestrian demonstrations.

Voir Horse riding and hiking
image introuvable

Landscapes of your vacation in the Camargue

The sandy coastline of the Camargue extends for nearly 95 km from Grau du roi to Fos sur Mer. Its sinuosity and its variable width are evidence of a strong erosion caused at the same time. both by the mistral and the Mediterranean Sea. The dunes of Beauduc at the east and those of Espiguette to the west offer large beaches of fine sand whose width can reach up to 200 m. 1 km. Between these two points, the beaches of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and Salins de Giraud tend to become steeper. they have to retreat, subject to attacks from the Mediterranean Sea. Marine incursions have created « graus » : narrow waterways connecting the interior lagoon to the the sea.

Voir Landscapes of your vacation in the Camargue

La tour Carbonnière
Balades sur le littoral Camarguais à bord du Catamaran Picardie II

Cruise between sea and canals

Do you want to experience an exceptional moment? Our partner offers you the opportunity to embark at aboard his Catamaran, the Picardie II!

Everything is designed to offer you a real moment of pleasure. Sea trips day and night. Walks towards wild horizons or along the coast.

The boat is at; Breathtaking ! Two decks for sailing in the open air and discovering the horizon beyond. 360 degrees, huge sails for a unique sensation, an air-conditioned room… and even a float equipped with an underwater vision.

Voir Cruise between sea and canals
Tortue de mer au Seaquarium du Grau du roi

The Seaquarium

Seaquarium is a huge aquarium which proposes a varied route including numerous ponds, in Le Grau du Roi.

The children crossMediterranean fishes in tropical fishes then in pond of jellyfishes before entering the tunnel of the sharks.

The museographic space dedicated to the tortoises teaches everything on the life of the marine turtle.

Finally, a panoramic amphitheater gives the opportunity to be next to seals and to sea lions and to laugh in their jokes.

The visit of Seaquarium is completed by that of an other one space out than appreciate a lot the children, the Requinarium.

On 1000 m2, they admire around thirty species of sharks, some evolving in huge aquariums. The visit, playful and educational, allows to learn

 

 

Voir Seaquarium

Tours et remparts d’Aigues-Mortes
La photo du Phare de l'Espiguette

Pointe de l'Espiguette
Taureaux de Camargue

Fauna and Flora of Camargue

The richness and specificity of The majority of the Camargue vegetation comes from the double influence of water and salt. In fact, irrigation water softens the north of the delta while seawater introduced into the southern part for salt production increases the salinity of the delta. from the ground.

Voir Fauna and Flora of Camargue