Park rules You are in a Regional nature park Professionals commit to sustainable tourism Remove your trash ! in the Camargue with the Respect the dunes. « Valeurs Parc naturel The Camargue is a large wetland in the Rhône delta. It is exceptionally diverse in its fl ora and fauna, Stay on the trail, do not enter private property. regional » brand its scenery and the culture of Provençe in all its historical grandeur. No fi res or barbecues. Whether you are interested in nature or in the traditions of the Camargue, we can give you the No loud noises. Owned by the Ministry of the Environment, information you need to appreciate the park, bearing in mind its vulnerability. « Valeurs Parc naturel regional » is a brand to help Park only in designated areas. foster sustainable development in local areas. Visiting museums or natural features, between the sea and the pools, on foot or on horseback, Dogs must remain leached. It promotes local products and human-scale tourist following the tourist routes or relaxing on the beach - you can organise your visit according to your businesses, local economy players who respect the In summer time, don’t forget sunscreen, specifi c features of the area and its environment. preferences, while also respecting the quality of your surroundings. water and mosquito repellent.
SITE TO VISIT WINE MAKERS Freshwater marshes 1 24 Cultivated land and reed beds Museum of Domaine de Beaujeu To Camargue www.domainedebeaujeu.fr Find the details of 20% of the Camargue is used to grow rice. To Beaucaire These are common in the upper Camargue and on the banks +33 (0)9 64 18 90 33 Alpilles Regional the sites on the back 5 The Pont de Gau The water taken from the Rhône for this Nîmes of the Rhône. 25 Mas de Valériole Nature Park bird park purpose desalinates the soil to a certain Water plants such as bullrushes, cane and reeds are abundant www.masdevaleriole.com depth, and the rice fi elds are also home to NORTH To Avignon in the marshes, which are used for hunting and, in summer, 6 Flamingo +33 (0)4 90 97 10 41 nesting birds such as the heron. They are pasturage. They provide shelter for nesting and wintering reproduction site fl ooded in April and allowed to dry out in birds. Reeds (« sagno », in Provençal) are cut in winter by ACCOMMODATION September for the harvest. Petit Rhône the « sagneurs ». They are used as a roofi ng material. 7 The Vigueirat marshes Arles 26 Saint-Gilles D572n Bergerie d’Alivon 8 Home of rice www.bergeriealivon.com +33 (0)6 12 62 04 57 10 Home of the Gimeaux 27 Chambres d’hôtes To The salt plains (« sansouires ») Camargue horse D6572 Saliers Van Gogh Bridge Aix-en-Provence Mas de Bouvet and meadowlands +33 (0)6 12 13 59 02 D37 0 N113 Marseille HORSE TREKKING 22 D57 Salt plains are a feature of the lower Camargue. Their (by réservation) 28 Hôtel-restaurant**** 1 36 salt content is so high that only a few plant species such Mas de Calabrun D36 as glasswort, saltwort, obione and statice can survive 13 Bergerie d’Alivon www.mas-de-calabrun.fr 30 there. They are prone to periodic fl ooding, and in sum- www.bergeriealivon.com +33 (0)4 90 97 82 21 8 Albaron Gageron +33 (0)6 03 54 10 94 9 mer are marked by white traces due to the presence 29 Gite Mas Farola To 39 Le Paty-de- 25 of salt. Meadowland occupies only small, fragmented 14 Écurie de l’Auberge www.masfarola.camargue.fr Nîmes areas in which the effects of salt are less obvious. cavalière du Pont des Bannes +33 (0)6 20 68 14 07 la-Trinité 31 24 27 www.ecurie-camargue.fr 30 Hôtel-restaurant***** Mas-Thibert +33 (0)6 63 65 26 08 Villeneuve Le Flamant rose 13 26 s D37 D570 e 15 Marais du Vigueirat - www.lefl amantrose.com D5 rg 18 23 16 32 8 o G N56 +33 (0)4 90 97 10 18 g r 8 Manade Coule 19 an To 5 d s www.manadecoule.com e R 31 d h Martigues Chambres d’hôtes D36b ô 34 +33 (0)4 90 98 70 91 10 e n The salt ponds Aigues- D38c l l Vaccarès Pond e Mas de la Forge i Marseille a r 16 Mas Saint-Germain www.masdelaforge.fr Mortes D 7 15 These are to be found along the sea. In reality Camargue National Nature Reserve 3 they are lagoons that have been adapted to www.massaintgermain.com +33 (0)4 90 97 00 76 Le Grau-du-Roi Cabanes- 21 Pioch-Badet +33 (0)6 16 92 34 98 Le Sambuc maximise their salt concentration. 32 Gîtes Mas Saint-Germain de-Cambon 17 R The salt ponds are extensive and rich in inverte- Mas de la Grenouillère www.massaintgermain.com o u brates, which makes them an important source www.hotel-equitation-saintes-maries.fr +33 (0)4 90 97 00 60 Pin Fourcat te d +33 (0)6 80 25 68 58 e of food for birds, and in particular the fl amingos, 33 C Les Impériaux Hôtel*** 28 a which spend most of their time there. 18 D38 c Domaine Paul Ricard Mas de la Grenouillère ha re www.mejanes-camargue.fr 5 l www.hotel-equitation-saintes-maries.fr The Espiguette D35 +33 (0)4 90 97 10 62 +33 (0)4 90 97 90 22 29 D5 Lighthouse Bac du Sauvage 70 The Gacholle 20 38 34 BULL HERDING Gite de l’Isle Saint-Pierre 17 14 Lighthouse www.islesaintpierre.fr (by réservation) +33 (0)4 90 98 70 30 33 D36b 4 D3 D 6 19 Manade Blanc 35 Gite Maebrilu igue à la m www.manade-blanc.fr http://maebrilu-camargue.fr er +33 (0)6 87 01 43 08 +33 (0)6 23 49 60 22 20 Manade Jacques Bon 36 Mas de Montredon NATURAL AND CULTURAL Les Saintes-Maries- www.masdepeint.com www.lemasmontredon.com Be +33 (0)4 90 97 28 50 +33 (0)4 90 52 07 50 HERITAGE SITES (presented overleaf) de-la-Mer au D36c d 6 21 Manade Cavallini 37 Chambres d’hôtes uc B Barcarin ferry www.masdepioch.com Un nid en Camargue Museum of the Camargue e 37 1 a +33 (0)4 90 97 50 06 www.gites-de-france.com 1,8 km c D (Musée de la Camargue - Park reception area) Distance h igue 35 +33 (0)6 24 00 34 56 à la 22 Manade Mailhan mer 2 Domaine de la Palissade Port-Saint-Louis- www.manadejacquesmailhan.com 38 Hôtel-restaurant***** +33 (0)9 74 56 51 89 Mas de Peint 3 The Camargue National Nature Reserve (La Capelière) Salin-de-Giraud 11 12 du-Rhône 23 Manade Paul Ricard www.masdepeint.com +33 (0)4 90 97 20 62 4 La Gacholle ligthhouse (Phare de la Gacholle) www.mejanes-camargue.fr +33 (0)4 90 97 10 10 39 Gites Mas de la Vigne The ponds and lagoons 5 The Pont de Gau bird park The Beauduc www.masdelavigne.com (Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau) Find the details of +33 (0)4 90 97 11 29 the sites on the back Lighthouse End of The shallow ponds of the lower Camargue are 2 ViaRhôna separated from the sea by a sandbar. They are more 6 Flamingo reproduction site The Faraman or less salty, and communicate with the sea via sluice (Étang du Fangassier) Lighthouse h gates. They provide a refuge for birds and fi sh, and ac 7 The Vigueirat marshes National Nature Reserve Be play a major role in water management. n Viewpoint o DISTANCES BETWEEN THE MAIN TOWNS : 8 (Maison du riz) lé Home of rice The beaches and dunes (by bike / by car) o Aigues-Mortes - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 30 km 30’ 1h34 Tourist path p a Aigues-Mortes - Arles 47 km 45’ 4h10 (par la ViaRhôna) 9 The Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve The Camargue has some 50 km of beaches. Out- Discovery route for pedestrians and cyclists P N iéma Arles - Salin-de-Giraud 38 km 37’ 1h51 side the perimeter of the protective dykes - and thus (closed to cars) nson 10 B Arles - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 37 km 35’ 1h50 Home of the Camargue Horse (Maison du cheval Camargue) subject to the caprices of the sea - the coastline is in Cycle path ViaRhôna eac h Arles - Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône 40 km 40’ 3h26 (par la ViaRhôna) 11 a permanent state of change. The dunes are inhabited The Salt works observatory by spectacular fl owering plants and a number of rare Boundary of the Camargue Regional Nature Park Albaron - Salin-de-Giraud (par bord du Vaccarès) 40 km 34’ 1h55 12 insects. River stop Salin-de-Giraud - Port-Saint-Louis 9 km 20’ 33’ The Saint-Louis Tower (Tour Saint-Louis) © Carte et illustrations Vincent Brunot (via bac de Barcarin)
the Park the A new life is being invented… Discover
Telline, a seashell to taste delicate, caught on sandy beaches
The Park of Camargue offers a large diversity of landscapes : beaches, reedbeds, rice and wheat fi elds, ponds and the Mediterranean Sea. The delta of the Camargue is one of the richest ecosystems of Western Europe, created by the confl uence between the Rhône river and the Mediterranean sea. The Park is one of the principal migratory stopovers for birds migrating from Northern Europe to Africa. The biodiversity here is incredible, especially the fauna : fl amingos, bulls, horses, european bee-eaters, slender-billed gulls, sea swallows, heron, beaver, and the black-winged stilt. The Camargue is full off contrasts and its changing nuances occur hourly and throughout the seasons. There will always be a surprise for the visitor. We wish you a very good trip in the Camargue. Enjoy it !
Some of the Camargue’s animals Some of the Camargue’s plants to admire, but not touch La Camargue: main place of French rice production
Pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) dragonfl y (Lestes macrostigma) Sea daffodil (Pancratium maritimum) Chardon des sables (Eryngium maritimum)
Black-winged stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Guépier d’Europe (Merops apiaster) Sea lavender (Limonium narbonense) Annual Saltwort (Salicorna annua) The bull at the heart of the Camargue identity
ORANGE Discovering the natural and cultural heritage of the Camargue More informations A9 AVIGNON
NÎMES A7 25 Parc naturel 1 régional Museum of Camargue 6 Etang du Fangassier / Guided tour with Walking and cycling tours des Alpilles SALON-DE- PROVENCE MONTPELLIER ARLES To discover the Park, start by visiting the Museum The Bureau des Guides naturalistes The Camargue Regional Nature Park offers 14 walking A54 of Camargue. You will learn of the special relation- A guide tour of « étang du Fangassier » owned by or cycling discovery tours within its borders, in order to > MARSEILLE ship between the inhabitants and nature through observe the full diversity of Camargue lands-capes : from Parc naturel the Conservatoire du Littoral, allows you to know régional objects, images and videos. The Tadashi Kawamata the vineyards in the north to the beaches in the south de Camargue everything about the Rhone Delta and discover the observatory is the beginning of a 3.5 km trail where only site in France where Flamingos reproduce. via the salt meadows and marshes.Starting in Arles, you will encounter a variety of landscapes. Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer or Port - Saint-Louis-du- MER MÉDITERRANÉE Étang du Fangassier - Salin-de-Giraud. Rhône, the tours are arranged thema-tically so as to give Contact Mas du Pont de Rousty - RD 570 - Arles Guided tour 1 April to 30 September, you all the keys to understanding this exceptional area. Tél. +33 (0)4 90 97 10 82 fee charged, by reservation only in the [email protected] Arles and Salin-de-Giraud tourist Offi ces, Pack available in French, English and German. Tourist information www.museedelacamargue.com tél. +33(0)6 95 90 70 48. On sale at Arles and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône October to March : every day from 10:00 am www.guide-nature.fr tourist offi ces, the Museum of the Camargue and Tourist offi ce of Arles to 5:00 pm*except Tuesday, 25/12, 01/01 and weekends from November the Vigueirat Marshes. Can be downloaded from : City center to January inclusive, excluding school holidays. April to September : www.parc-camargue.fr/itineraires.html Esplanade Charles de Gaulle - 13200 Arles every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm except 01/05 : 10 :00 am - 5:00 pm. Tél. +33(0)4 90 18 41 20 *Box offi ce close from 12:30 am to 1:00 pm*. 7 The Vigueirat marshes National Salin-de-Giraud Entrance fee, 7€/4€. Labelled « Tourisme et Handicap ». Rue Tournaire - 13200 Arles Nature Reserve Tél. +33(0)4 42 86 89 77 2 Meadow and fl ooded wood, The Camargue largest www.arlestourisme.com - [email protected] The Domaine de la Palissade reed bed constitute an environment teeming with Chemins des Parcs life with thousands of birds, 6 herds of bulls and Tourist offi ce of The Domaine de la Palissade is a Conservatoire On this website www.cheminsdesparcs.fr all the information is available to prepare Camargue horses. Thematic boardwalk trails and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer du Littoral property open to the public. Here, on for your trip in the Camargue and in the 8 others regional parks of the region. guided tour by horse and cart and on horseback/ 5 avenue Van Gogh - 13460 Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer pedestrian and horseback trails it is possible to Website and smartphone application are available for park information. Tél. +33(0)4 90 97 82 55 observe the principal wetlands of Camargue, the poney. www.saintesmaries.com - [email protected] natural habitats of birds and fi sh. Exhibitions and Mas Thibert - Tél. +33(0)4 90 98 70 91 Tourist offi ce of guided tours are available. [email protected] Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône Salin-de-Giraud - Tél. +33(0)4 42 86 81 28 www.marais-vigueirat.reserves-naturelles.org Where to watch birds ? Tour Saint-Louis - Quai Bonnardel [email protected] - www.palissade.fr Opening times 9 :00 am to 5:30 pm, 13230 Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône Opening times : February and November, February to 15 November. Free trails Nearly 2/3 of the birds observed in Europe can be seen Tél. +33(0)4 42 86 01 21 wednesday to sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ; and guided tours on reservation. in the Camargue, which makes it a popu-lar place www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr Boutique, refreshment and organic food. [email protected] March to mid-June and mid-September to end with ornithologists, both professional and amateur. October, every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ; Mid-June to mid-September, every Discover the booklet « Where to watch birds in the st day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed in December and January, 1 May and 8 Camargue Regional Nature Park », which tells you Camargue régional th Home of Rice 11 November. Equestrian initiation sessions take place from the start of April 11 good sites for bird watching, and more generally nature park to October. There is an admission charge. Rice growner in the Camargue for fi ve generations, www.parc-camargue.fr - [email protected] for observing Camargue plants and wildlife. the Rozière Family welcome you to their farm where In addition to the descriptions of each site and the Museum of Camargue they have created a visitor centre about rice-growing. Mas du Pont de Rousty species to be seen there, the booklet highlights 13200 Arles The visit includes a trail with small rice fi elds, outdoor activities, restaurants and accommoda- Tél. 0+33(0)4 90 97 10 82 Natural Reserve of Camargue an exhibition room, a demonstration of the rice tion situated close to the sites ; most of which www.museedelacamargue.com - [email protected] whitening process and a tasting session on request. are committed to sustainable tourism. Domaine de la Palissade One of the largest wetlands conservation Mas de la Vigne, Albaron - Arles 13129 Salin-de-Giraud Booklet available in French and English from Tél. +33(0)4 42 86 81 28 reserves in Europe, the Reserve of Camargue Tél. +33(0)6 31 03 40 11 - maisonduriz@orange.fr tourist offi ces and heritage and cultural sites, [email protected] covers 13 200 hectares from the Vaccarès www.maisonduriz.com - Open every day or can be downloaded from : lake to the Mediterranean beaches. The land- from April to end of November, from 9:30 www.parc-camargue.fr/ou-observer-les-oiseaux-en-camargue.html scapes are wild and authentic. am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm. This document is printed on unbleached paper, Local produce shop. using wood from sustainablymanaged forests. 2019 9 Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve Biosphere Reserve
PNRC : M. Mercier - D. Mathieu ; COM’les10doigts ; Séverine Bourdeaux ; Pure impression / Crédits photos PNRC : A. Chevalier - S. Ceyte - A. Crestey - P. Daniel - D. Lazin - M. Mercier - E. Rouquette - C. Scannapieco Rouquette - C. Mercier - E. Lazin - M. Daniel - D. Crestey - P. A. Ceyte - - S. Chevalier A. Pure impression / Crédits photos PNRC : Séverine Bourdeaux ; COM’les10doigts ; Mathieu ; Mercier - D. M. PNRC : Vlassis et G. Séguier - J. - E. ce de tourisme Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône de Gau - Offi ornithologique de Pont /BGN - Maison du Riz Parc Giraud Garcia/MDV - C. Baudouin/SMPGCC - K. Befeld/RNC - S. / S. Vialet E. Meadow, «sansouire» (saline scrub), reed bed and Since 1977, the Camargue has been designated by UNESCO pond represents a variety of environment conducive as a « Biosphere Reserve » covering the whole biogeogra- to the faunistic and fl oristic diversity typical of a phical delta of the Rhône. This designation involves the setting 3 The Natural Reserve House, Mediterranean wetland. up of a sustainable development project whose results are What is a Regional La Capelière Route des Iscles - Gallician - Vauvert assessed every 10 years. The project concerns the conservation Tél. +33(0)4 66 73 52 05 of natural areas, support for human activities in harmony Nature Park ? This is the information center of the Reserve, including a museum and a shop, [email protected] with the environment, including sustainable tourism, and also as well as the departure point of a 1,5 km trail winding through the Camargue’s www.camarguegardoise.com - Opening times : backs research and awareness-raising about the Camargue’s various habitats. You will especially appreciate the 4 observatories placed among Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm, shop 9 am exceptional biodiversity. the marshes. By appointment : a visit on the Salin de Badon trail, heart of the to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 6 pm. Sales of guide. www.mab-france.org/en/ A regional natural park is both : Reserve. Reservation required for groups. A inhabited rural territory recognized for its strong heritage C134 route de Fiélouse - Arles - Tél. +33(0)4 90 97 00 97 [email protected] - www.snpn.com/reservedecamargue 10 Home of the Camargue Horse and landscape value, open to all but whose fragile balance Opening times : April to 30 September : every day from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, October to 31th March : every day (except Tuesday outside Find out about the Camargue horse breed, its history, Ramsar Label requires the greatest respect ; the way it is raised, its involvement in the manage- school holiday) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The french state is a member of the Convention on Wetlands, th st ment of natural areas, etc. by means of a guided wal- Closed on December 25 and January 1 . There is an admission charge. called the Ramsar Convention, since 1986. One of the most a public institution of consultation between the authorities, king tour in the heart of the Mas de la Cure estate. Labelled « Tourisme et Handicap ». varied and rich ecosystems, wetlands are threatened all the local people and the economic decision-makers. Mas de la Cure, Chemin de Bardouine around the world. The park of the Camargue is a Ramsar Its remit is to reconcile human development and nature 4 The light house La Gacholle Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (in front of the site, and exemplifi es the protection of wetlands through the Castle of Avignon) - Tél. +33(0)4 90 97 76 37 sustainable use of resources. conservation. and the sea dike [email protected] www.maisonduchevalcamargue.com One of the starting points for a tour of the sea dyke : 20 km of pathways for Like the other 52 regional natural parks in France, Guided visit by reservation only, fee charged, pedestrians or cyclists (but not cars). Although the dunes themselves are out of all year for groups (12 people min.) and from the Camargue Regional Natural Park mobilizes bounds, the sea is accessible via marked paths. The birds include gulls, terns and April to September, wednesday and friday from a multidisciplinary team that works as well : fl amingos. Exhibition on the subject of the Camargue coast, and an observatory. 10:00 to 11:45 am for individuals. Opening times : school holidays, public holidays and weekends, DestiMED : an eco-tourism 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission free. Protection and enhancement of the natural and cultural 11 The salt works observatory package being tested heritage ; The Giraud salt works, near the mouth of the Grand Land use planning ; Rhône, covers 6 000 hectares and produces various 5 The Pont de Gau bird Park compounds that are used by the chemical industry, Initiated and funded by the MedPAN association, Economic, social and cultural development ; including 340 000 tonnes of sodium chloride a year. the Network of Managers of Marine Protected An ideal birdwatching site for the many species of The Salt works observatory is on the road. Between Areas in the Mediterranean, The European DestiMED Reception and public awareness of wealth and Camargue, especially the rose fl amingos. Trails and Piemanson and Salin-de-giraud. project aims to develop and promote ecotourism in observatories bring you alongside wild fauna and Route de la plage de Piémanson 13 marine and coastal protected areas, including the heritage fragility ; amongst the various settings of marshes, ponds, Salin-de-Giraud. Camargue Regional Natural Park. reedbeds and saltmarsh scrubs. Experimentation and research for the development Thanks to DestiMED, the Park was able to set up an ecotourism package Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau in collaboration with the tourist offi ces of Arles, Saintes-Maries-de-la- of new environmentally sound practices. RD 570 - Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer Mer and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône and tourist service providers* Tél. +33 (0)4 90 97 82 62 committed to preserving the environment: a one-week stay to discover the authentic [email protected] 12 and sustainable Camargue with the lowest possible ecological footprint. www.parcornithologique.com The Saint Louis Tower The Park in numbers Opening times : April to 30 September, Built in 1737, it is now a classifi ed historic monu- Successfully tested in June and October 2018, this package allows to approach the 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, and 1 October ment, and houses the Offi ce de Tourisme, along traditional Camargue through encounters with the locals and the discovery of the Three towns ◗ Animal and plant species (not to 31 March, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Park exit is independent of with a permanent exhibition of the largest ornitho- culture that makes the link between its great natural spaces, its festive traditions, the reception desk and remains open until sunset all year. There is > Arles including invertebrates) : 5 700 logical collection in the Camargue, and temporary its know-how, its biodiversity… an admission charge. Labelled « Tourisme et Handicap » and > Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer of which 489 are protected, either exhibitions. More information : www.medpan.org > Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône nationally or worldwide « Park brand ». Buvette/terrace open from April to October. Offi ce de tourisme - Quai Bonnardel ◗ Population : ◗ Migrating birds : 150 000 each Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône - Tél. +33(0)4 42 86 01 21 [email protected] 10 848 inhabitants year. Three quarters of France’s On the back of this brochure, you will be able to spot on * Bureau des guides naturalistes, Parc ornithologique du Pont de Gau, ◗ www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr Area : 101 200 hectares bird species, half of its freshwater the map : Opening times summer : monday to friday, 8:30 am Maison du riz, Musée de la Camargue, Domaine de la Palissade ; ◗ Coastline : 75 k, Highest point fi sh species and a quarter of its - all the natural and cultural heritage sites presented above ; to 12:00 am, and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The opening Vélo Saintois ; Mas de Valériole ; Restaurants Les Saladelles, 4 metres above sea level ! plant species are to be found in - all professionals that carry the « Valeurs Parc naturel hours are extended during the tourist season. Les Salicornes, Le Flamant rose ; Camargue traiteur, Camargue the Camargue ! régional » brand. There is an admission charge. coquillage ; Accomodation Mas Saint-Germain, Mas de Peint.