ICI nous avons le temps English guide 2019 www.ot-aiguesmortes.com Aigues-Mortes, the capital of the Camargue Gardoise, joins the exclusive circuit of Main Sites in Occitanie The main sites are a list of the essential places in our region; they illustrate the wealth of heritage, culture and nature of our town. With its marina, its thirteenth-century ramparts and its salt pyramids, Aigues-Mortes holds the promise of intense moments for unforgettable holidays. Alone, with your family, with your couple or with your friends, Aigues-Mortes meets all your needs: sun, food, history, vineyards, artisans and shops – here we have the time. Camargue horses, cattle and pink flamingos reign over an exceptional flora and fauna. At Aigues-Mortes, the postcard image of your stay will without doubt be sunny, authentic and surprising. Come and meet us. Pierre MEAUMEJEAN, Mayor Noémie CLAUDEL, President of the Tourist Board 4 AGENDA / TOP 8 7 ATTACKING THE OLD MEDIEVAL CITY 8 History 14 Walking down 18 Follow the guide 19 The Art rush 20 MAKE BEAUTIFUL ENCOUNTERS 22 Our cattle farmers open up their doors for you 24 The secrets of landscapes in Camargue 25 Go bird watching 26 Safaris in Camargue 28 Meet our wine growers and merchants 30 GOING FOR A STROLL 32 Routes on foot and by bicycle 33 The Camargue over the water 34 The Camargue on horseback 36 HAVING FUN 38 Amuse yourself 24/7 40 Have fun with all the family 43 3 experiences for your sea legs 44 GREEDY AIGUES MORTES 46 Go to the market 48 I book my table ! 55 USEFUL ADDRESSES 56 Shopping 56 Professional services 59 Useful numbers 60 Medical services 62 All means of transports are good for finding us Top 8 experiences to live at Aigues-Mortes 1 TAKE PART IN THE SAINT LOUIS FETE Come and enjoy a medieval weekend. Don’t miss the awarding of the keys to the town, the long historical parades, the embarkation of Saint Louis, the cavalry tournament and the me- dieval market. 2 HAVE FUN AT THE FESTIVAL MARGUERITE Under the starry sky, opposite the ancient stones of the south rampart, let yourself get carried away by flamenco rhythms, admire the grace of the horses and their riders, lis- ten to a story for children… 3 TAKE A STROLL AROUND THE MARKET STALLS Wander through the colourful aisles and discover local producers. Find fashion com- plements, the clothes you need, a corkscrew to open that bottle of good “Sable de Ca- margue” sand wine… 4 4 DANCE DURING THE MUSIC FESTIVAL Twist and shake as you feel like it on a street transformed for the occasion into a stage in the open air. 5 ENJOY YOURSELF AS IF YOU WERE A LOCAL Come to the fair in the second week of Octo- ber, bulls, abrivados, bandidos, funfair... 6 RIDE A BIKE ALL ALONG THE CANAL Enjoy a nice peaceful bike ride along the 7 ADMIRE AN EXHIBITION banks of the canal. Take your time to admire the landscape between the land and the sea, Meet our gallery owners in the street or in a the marshes and the ponds, the vineyards square. Visit the Chapelle des Capucins, dis- and pinewoods... cover the artists and share your emotions with them ! 8 TAKE PART IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS IN CA- MARGUE The medieval city puts on its cloak of lights and invites you to take a stroll down its deco- rated streets. A skating rink, a market, films, shows, treasure hunts and other surprises are 5 Attacking the old medieval city Originally 0 The site of Aigues-Mortes has been occupied since mankind walked the earth. If you have the chance, head north-east and if it is open, go through the Gateway of Saint Antoine, you will be warmly wel- comed inside by the members of the “history and archaeology association”. Remains from all times are on show in this gateway: bones, tools, pottery, coins … from the earliest humans to the twentieth century. Roughly ten kilometres to the east of the town is the fort of Peccais. In ancient times a Greek colony settled here and then the Romans in the first century took over the organization of salt production and sale. During the Second World War, its strate- Antiquity gic position did not escape the notice of the German army, who built concrete bunkers here, which everyone who prides himself on being a local has been to explore. It was the Roman engineer Peccius who the territory was named after. The fort was built in 1568 in a region that had been suffering from religious troubles since 1560, and ensured ongoing control of the nearby salt marshes and the canals which were used to transport the salt. It recalls the fortifications of Vauban, although this is later (1633- 1707). As of today there is no access to the fort. Far from all visual distraction, at the edge of the salt marsh it invites you to simply enjoy a peaceful setting. Middle Age In the fifth century the Benedictine monks settled in the hostile environment of the marshes and ponds and founded an abbey. Monks consecrated to the work of God and hence in- cessant psalmodies, both day and night, led to the mon- astery being known as Psalmody or Psalmodi. The remains of the abbey are now private property and are not open to public visits. Texts from the eighth century mention this place under the name of Aquae Mortuae, because of the dead water in the surrounding marsh- es and ponds. LE SAVIEZ It was linked to the sea by the Viel canal, along which flat-bottomed -VOUS ? barges were pulled by horses from the banks. Aigues-Mortes owes its name to these dead waters that surround it. 8 Louis IX in Aigues-Mortes 0 In the thirteenth century, Louis IX did not possess any land bordering on the Mediterranean. He wished to take ad- vantage of this port located in the midst of rival ports, which controlled all the trade in the region. Agde and Saint Gilles were the property of Raymond VII, Marseille of Charles D’Anjou, while Montpellier belonged to the King of Aragon. The land of the dead waters was the only one open to negotiation. It was the perfect place to build an inland port and thereby hold exchange with the West. It was located in the kingdom of France and was linked to the sea by the Viel canal (to the west of the town, nowadays dried up). Meanwhile, the surrounding lands and marshes belonged to the abbey of Psalmody. On the request of Louis IX, the Benedictines agreed to exchange the land of Aigues-Mortes for the vast arable fields belong- ing to the crown in the region of Sommières. Some time later Louis fell seriously ill. He was saved from death by a miracle and made a vow to go and deliver the tomb of Christ which the infidels had conquered. He decided that the crusade would be French and would sail from a French port. History tells us that this RAGOT was for him the chance to escape from the yoke GOSSIP ! of his mother, the famous Blanche de Castille. In 1244, the architect Eudes de Montreuil drew up the first plans for the inland port and the town. Despite the difficult weather and health conditions, the area was inhabited by a sparse population of fishermen and salt manufacturers, living in reed cabins. The alluvial land of Aigues-Mortes has no stones – they were brought from the quarries in Beaucaire and Baux by water. The village was created from nothing on land with no organized planning. It was built between the second and third sandbanks, very close to the marshes of La Marette and the town. Contrary to traditional ideas, the sea has never overcome the ramparts. For four years, the whole region was devoted to this immense project, the construction of a town and a royal port. Conflicts broke out on all sides and led to mutinies. The king imposed forced labour on whole regions, all the way to Alès and beyond. In the end he gave way and offered the suppression of all taxes, fees, tolls and salt tax for everyone who would keep on working. Early in the month of July 1244 Louis IX came to Aigues-Mortes among the crusaders who were pouring in every day. His wife Marguerite de Pro- vence, and his two brothers Robert d’Artois and Charles d’Anjou were with him and all the great lords and barons of France joined them. 9 The 7th Crusade In 1248, the town of Aigues-Mortes was not yet in being - only the ports were pre- pared. Over seven hundred vessels were loaded with provisions, horses and soldiers, sheltered from the violence of the tides. The two first floors of the Big Main Tower were built. This Big Main Tower, later called the King’s Tower and then the Tower of Constance, was the only defensive element in the future fortified town. Its defence system was designed to repel all kinds of attacks. Discovering it on a guided visit is really exciting. As we said above, the soil of Aigues- Mortes is spongy. The piles were set at a depth of twenty metres. The tower did not yet have its lighthouse, but it was planned and finally add- ed in 1250. The lighthouse cannot be visited today for reasons of safety. The terrace is 33 metres high and boasts a unique panorama – on really clear days you can even catch a glimpse of the Pic Saint Loup and Mount Ventoux.