FRAGRANT HEATH AMONG HILLS AND VINEYARDS

A Heath trail B La Montagnette  C Provençal countryside      Boulbon > Saint Michel de Frigolet Abbey > Saint-Pierre-de-Mézoargues Stroll amongst thyme, rosemary Saint Michel de Frigolet Abbey's Stroll among orchards and olive trees as you breathe in the sweet scent COLOURFUL and broom. You have a choice impressive crenelated towers loom of dazzling nature between the Rhône and its fertile plain. Venture through of two trails: the Payan heath trail in the Montagnette mountain range's the village of Boulbon and gaze at its exceptional built heritage. cliffs, Aleppo pines, oak heaths and Draille de l’Anelier trail. Hit the Grands Champs plain between the and La Montagnette where D and rosemary. Look out for Provençal farmhouses you can enjoy the peace and quiet on its lush paths. Every village you go through GETAWAYS nestled deep in the heath. B Once you reach Les Pins car park, has its fair share of surprises. Soak up the fabulous views of the head for Boulbon, a lovely little village Alpilles with Les Opies, their highest with a feudal castle and its little Saint- > 39,5 km - Easy - Unmarked peak, in the background. AROUND C C D Marcellin Chapel where there's the so- called "bottles" procession every year > Payan heath: 4.5 km - Signposted on June 1st. E Around Saint-Gabriel  > Draille de l’Anelier : 9 km - Signposted  THE CAMARGUE, No pain, no gain! Take time out on D Mistral's Homeland Tarascon > Alpilles Saint-Michel de Frigolet Abbey's Saint-Martin-de- The Roman Saint-Gabriel Chapel C Hop on your bike from Saint-Martin-de- grounds and go on an intimate tour of stands by the D33 between Tarascon, Crau to explore Les Baux Valley and its CRAU, ALPILLES its stunning Neo-Gothic abbey whose Fontvieille and Saint-Étienne-du-Grès. château, the village of where C interior is filled with polychrome It's the start point for hikes deep the poet Frédéric Mistral was born and E decorations. Hit other trails on your into the Alpilles mountain range. Saint-Michel-de-Frigolet Abbey whose AND MONTAGNETTE next hikes and head for the plateau The vegetation alternates between monastery was founded in 1133, making from Tarascon or Boulbon. pine forest and heath. There are it a spiritual landmark for almost a incredible views of La Crau Plain > 14 km – Medium - Signposted millennium. D and the Camargue. End your adventure in the medieval village of Boulbon nestled at the foot of > 5,1 km - Very easy - Signposted Montagnette's hills, and Tarascon, the D homeland of Tartarin (famous character Sea dike by the novelist Alphonse Daudet) where you'll find King René's château, one of L M A the most beautiful medieval châteaux L F in and the best-preserved in . G D L H > 80 km and 400m elevation. H NB : it has steep ascents and descents ! M G  Trail on foot Athletic circuit H Unmarked  Trail on bike M  Trail on horseback F H  Signposted trail

The "Cabanes" (huts) path on the site of Marais du Vigueirat H Alpilles G J GO WITH THE FLOW UNIQUE CAMARGUE MORE INFORMATION  H F Water world K Flamingos M Albaron marsh Tourist Information Saint-Martin-de-Crau and salt   in Saliers  9, boulevard des Lices Delve into the Coussouls de Crau, a semi-arid natural steppe, before its irrigation. La Salin-de-Giraud 13200 Arles Crau Verte sprang from fertile silt from the that saw the appearance Learn all about rice growing in the 04 90 18 41 20 J J It has grey feathers when it's born of meadows. Arboriculture flourished with irrigation. The canals powered the mills, northern Camargue between Albaron, [email protected] in the marsh then the carotene Saliers and Saint-Gilles. Meet the like the one in Chambremont. Cycle on the path devoted to a thousand years in its food turns it pink. The iconic www.arlestourisme.com H of the Crau Plain's evolution in relation to irrigation. Camargue bull herds that are known Greater flamingo has its own as "Biou". observatory between the Fangassier, Salin de Giraud Tourist Information > 28 km - Unmarked Galabert and Grand Rascaillon The bulls are bred for the traditional Route d’Arles - Chemin départemental 36   lagoons. It's a great excuse to visit "Course Camarguaise" bull race 13129 Salin-de-Giraud I From seawall to sea the village of Salin-de-Giraud and return to their pastures once 04 42 86 89 77 I H A dirt path hovering between the sky, where salt production is a major the fun is over, unlike the corrida. www.arlestourisme.com/fr/salin-de-giraud  sea and marsh: the seawall, built to J G Les Aulnes Lake part of its history. Venture through Lauricet forest, the protect the Rhône delta from the tides only woodland in the Camargue and Les Aulnes Lake is a protected 300 ha and waves, has a wealth of staggering Tarascon Tourist Information H site just outside Saint-Martin-de-Crau. > 29 km - NOT SUITABLE IN RAIN - Unmarked a dream observatory for the wild 62, rue des Halles K untamed stretches and beautiful lagoons. animals that seek shelter here. The centre is home to an artist residence, Brackish and sea water birds live in the 13150 Tarascon the journey to the lake is a great way 04 90 91 03 52 K national reserve: gulls, sterns, seagulls, > 20 km - Unmarked to soak up La Crau's myriad landscapes, herons, waders. It's an incredible natural L Bull and [email protected] from meadows to arid stretches.   > Mountain bike, all-terrain bike www.tarascon-tourisme.com area where you'll feel very small and very vineyard trail A path runs along the lake making impressed by the sheer number of birds. for a lovely stroll. It's their playground and pantry. Set off from Arles towards Trinquetaille Saint Martin de Crau Tourist Information Grab your binoculars! and Saint-Gilles to visit the Provençal Avenue de la République > 35 km – Flat and easy - Unmarked farmhouses, manades and wineries 13310 Saint-Martin-de-Crau Provence Arles Camargue > 12 km to La Gacholle lighthouse, peppering a lovely trail nestled 04 90 47 98 40 Crau Montagnette 24 kilometres there and back between the Rhône and Petit Rhône. [email protected] Craponne landscapes Flat – No shade - Unmarked The route gives you an insight into www.saintmartindecrau.fr/tourisme H  traditional farming and a sense Mer around Arles of history as it goes past Saliers Saintes Maries de la Mer Tourist Information Méditerranée Craponne Canal links the Durance J Camargue Tour   where there's a memorial for the 5 Avenue Van Gogh to the regal Rhône. The illustrious Vaccarès Lagoon gypsies imprisoned in the German 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Renaissance structure is the central camp between 1942 and 1944. f 04 90 97 82 55 Arles Boulbon Montpellier Nîmes Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Saint-Martin-de-Crau Tarascon fMarseille fMontpellier Nîmes -Garons fAvignon -Caumont Avignon-TGV Nîmes-TGV theme of this trail that takes you on Keep your ears peeled and eyes riveted Arles 0 km 40 km 25 km 90 km 80 km 32 km 37 km 17 km 18 km 66 km 77 km 26 km 46 km 35 km 33 km Key Regional Salt on the horizon for several minutes. As the [email protected] Avignon 40 km 0 km 17 km 96 km 96 km 45 km 76 km 39 km 23 km 78 km 93 km 57 km 10 km 6 km 44 km nature park marshes an adventure around the Arles > 31 km - Signposted Boulbon 25 km 17 km 0 km 109 km 95 km 37 km 60 km 33 km 7 km 91 km 93 km 37 km 25 km 15 km 35 km countryside with its canals, marshes, minutes tick by, you'll spot this unspoilt www.saintesmaries.com Nature Marseille 90 km 96 km 109 km 0 km 169 km 121 km 127 km 73 km 97 km 25 km 167 km 111 km 88 km 98 km 120 km Tourist Saint-Jacques de Information réserve Compostelle route sluices and rice fields. site's signature species. A walk along Montpellier 80 km 96 km 95 km 169 km 0 km 54 km 60 km 97 km 80 km 145 km 10 km 61 km 105 km 99 km 52 km Conservatoire Vaccarès Lagoon is your chance soak up a Nîmes 32 km 44 km 36 km 121 km 54 km 0 km 52 km 47 km 27 km 96 km 52 km 13 km 53 km 46 km 0,5 km ViaRhôna Eurovelo Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 37 km 76 km 60 km 127 km 60 km 52 km 0 km 54 km 53 km 102 km 54 km 44 km 80 km 71 km 52 km Train station du Littoral (coastal perfect combination of amazing views and protection agency) cycling route EV17 > 31 km – Easy - Unmarked Saint-Martin-de-Crau 17 km 39 km 33 km 73 km 97 km 47 km 54 km 0 km 26 km 49 km 94 km 38 km 39 km 42 km 48 km diverse flora and fauna in the Camargue. Tarascon 18 km 23 km 7 km 97 km 80 km 27 km 53 km 26 km 0 km 72 km 77 km 30 km 29 km 20 km 26 km Nature site Mediterranean f Airoport to visit Eurovelo cycling Marseille 66 km 78 km 91 km 25 km 145 km 96 km 102 km 49 km 72 km 0 km 167 km 87 km 69 km 80 km 96 km route EV8 fMontpellier 77 km 93 km 93 km 167 km 10 km 52 km 54 km 94 km 77 km 167 km 0 km 58 km 102 km 96 km 52 km > 64 km - Easy - Signposted f Visitor Cycling route > Mountain bike, all-terrain bike Nîmes-Garons 26 km 57 km 37 km 111 km 61 km 13 km 44 km 38 km 30 km 87 km 58 km 0 km 58 km 50 km 12 km River port centre and footpath fAvignon-Caumont 46 km 10 km 25 km 88 km 105 km 53 km 80 km 39 km 29 km 69 km 102 km 58 km 0 km 11 km 47 km Avignon-TGV 35 km 6 km 15 km 98 km 99 km 46 km 71 km 42 km 20 km 80 km 96 km 50 km 11 km 0 km 47 km Nîmes-TGV 33 km 44 km 35 km 120 km 52 km 0,5 km 52 km 48 km 26 km 96 km 52 km 12 km 47 km 47 km 0 km Marina Must see Crédits photos : 123RF : Augustas Cetkauskas, Sam D Cruz, Fleur, Andrey Gudkov, Goodluz, Antonio Gravante, lianem, Neryx, Jozef Polc, Marek Stefunk, Ralko Vadim, Whiskybottle ; CEN PACA, Laurent Tatin ; Maison de la Chasse et de la Nature, Patrice Galvand ; FM - Marais du Vigueirat ; PNR Alpilles, Rémi Sérange ; SNP, Silke Befeld ; Unsplash : Fleur, Shwetha Shankar ; OT Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mert ; ville de Saint-Martin-de-Crau ; Fernando Ferreira ; Pierre Hugue ; Axel Wolff. Cartographie : Limitrophe. Cartographie : Axel Wolff. ; Hugue Pierre ; Ferreira Fernando Saint-Martin-de-Crau ; Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mert de ville OT ; ; Shankar Shwetha Fleur, : Unsplash ; Befeld Silke SNP, ; Sérange Rémi Alpilles, PNR ; Vigueirat du Marais - FM Design graphique : Anaïs Bellot & Thierry Badin. DOMAINE DE LA PALISSADE ALPILLES REGIONAL NATURE PARK CENTRE NATURAL PAINTINGS NATURAL TREASURES, NATURAL Welcome to the mouth of the Rhône at Domaine de la Palissade, property of La Cloutière farmhouse the "Conservatoire du Littoral" coastal in the heart of Saint-Rémy- IN A VARIETY BIODIVERSITY AND TOURS protection agency. This protected de-Provence has been fully nature site covers almost 700 hectares renovated to become the south of the Camargue with 3 trails Alpilles Park Centre. This lively OF COLOURS INCREDIBLE SETTINGS NATURAL ranging from 1.5 to 8 kilometers. multi-functional site is open to the Create your natural haven, slow down the tempo You can watch Greater flamingos, stilts, general public, home to the Park's team ducks and seagulls from 4 observatories, and has a reception area, exhibition and soak up the Provence's diverse scenery. LA CRAU CAMARGUE EXPERIENCES including 2 with telescopes. rooms and an educational garden. It is a heritage resource centre encou- Vast Mediterranean steppe called The UNESCO-listed Camargue raging visitors to explore all 16 of the On foot, by bike, on horseback, in a No matter the season, you have HOME OF RICE CRAU ECO-MUSEUM Le Coussoul, the Durance's fossil Biosphere Reserve is lined by the LA GACHOLLE LIGHTHOUSE Park's towns and villages. carriage... go for "green" transport the perfect setting and rainbow delta, La Crau Plain has inherited Rhône and Petit Rhône. Freshwater to hit the roads in the Alpilles Crau of colours to get outdoors and a hodgepodge of stony deserts and salt marshes, pools, lagoons, 15 minutes from Arles, The Écomusée stands in a former First there are the dunes. Camargue Montagnette region. recharge your batteries: deep green and woodlands. Farmers produce dunes, beaches and reed beds live experience the Rozière family's sheepfold in central Saint-Martin-de- Routes that connect each Aleppo pine trees in Montagnette, They protect the Camargue coast La Crau Hay in the meadows, together on a 140,000 ha area in passion for rice! La Maison Crau and gives visitors the chance to from the Mediterranean's onslaught. geographical area through a smart chalky white Alpilles ridges, La Crau's an agricultural product with the the heart of the Delta. Welcome to du Riz works in two areas: explore La Crau's natural and cultural network of roads, paths and loops. ochre carpet and the shimmering Then there's the seawall built in 1859 Pick up your protected designation of origin the realm of rice fields, vineyards farming and education. heritage through a fun-filled experience to protect the marshes from the tides They whisk you away to explore mosaic of the Camargue's marshes. since 1997. La Crau is the bastion and farms breeding Camargue The tour includes a trail with small with educational animated films. unspoilt nature and its residents. and waves. Make your way through Crau-Camargue PASS of Provence pastoralism bulls and horses. rice fields, an exhibition room, rice Have fun and hunt down treasure the flat terrain where land and water to explore the environmental blanching demonstration and product with the help of free booklets. The Camargue Crau Montagnette meet towards the 17 meters high identity of these areas tasting on request. La Gacholle lighthouse. region is home to two regional nature Pick up unusual local produce at the Pick up the Crau-Camargue PASS ! with trips to 3 signature sites: : parks, three French nature reserves, MONTAGNETTE and ALPILLES You can walk or cycle along the "gricery" such as rice beer and candles. seawall from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Écomusée de la Crau, two regional nature reserves and Camargue horses Montagnette lets its Aleppo or Salin de Giraud. la Maison de la Chasse six Natura 2000 sites plus the Domaine "LE JARDIN DE GASTON" ARBORETUM de la Capelière, Marais du Vigueirat pine-covered hills run on the banks et de la Nature of the Rhône. Cliffs form the leafy area. CAMARGUE MUSEUM marsh and the Coussouls de Crau The arboretum in Saint-Martin-de-Crau and . The plains are home to farms, olive and Marais du Vigueirat French Nature Reserve managed by Dragonfly is a 4 hectares leafy haven outside town. LA CAPELIÈRE- NATIONAL fruit orchards. The heaths teem with The museum has an immer- the Conservatory of Natural Areas. Count the myriad ducks waddling CAMARGUE NATURE almond trees, holm oaks and rosemary. sive permanent exhibition They unite to form a real golden in the shade of 150 species of trees The limestone Alpilles ridges loom a about "water and time in RESERVE CENTRE triangle for biodiversity. Rice field and shrubs ! Smile at the elegant swans in Camargue few miles away peaking at 498 meters. the Camargue" in a former and proud peacocks. A perfect place Sitting on the edge of Vaccarès The white stone valleys burst with sheepfold. Display items, panels and to have a family stroll, unwind on the Lake, Mas de la Capelière presents legendary olive orchards and famous audio surround visitors in the Delta Eyed lizard lawn and have a picnic. the Camargue's diverse landscapes: wineries. from its geological formation to its woodland, "sansouïre" biotopes, current challenges: irrigation, protec- Guided tour for groups on reservation grass and reeds. The variety of habitats, ting nature, flooding and farming. at the Tourist Information ideal for birdwatching, attracts Delve deeper into the subject on the of Saint-Martin-de-Crau. over 200 species of birds. 3.5 km footpath. It runs along the canal The site has 4 observatories, and rice fields up to the marsh and via 2 screening rooms, a nature Boulbon's feudal castle the gardian's hut. shop and footpath (Entrance fees).

Allium Pied Avocet

HUNTING AND NATURE CENTRE

This former coaching inn houses A BESPOKE an exhibition. It presents the mosaic Merino sheep from Arles formed by the landscape, flora and USEFUL fauna in this unique land. Temporary DESTINATION, Camargue bulls exhibitions by nature lover artists INFORMATION take pride of place. The Camargue museum The Domaine de la Palissade Greater flamingo Pick up the Crau-Camargue PASS ! Camargue regional nature park Route de la Mer - RD36D, A DESTINATION AT Thistles in tne Crau plain Pont Rousty 13 129 Salin-de-Giraud 13 200 Arles www.palissade.fr YOUR PACE - YOUR MARAIS DU VIGUEIRAT [email protected] 04 42 86 81 28 www.museedelacamargue.com On foot, carriage, horseback, 04 90 97 10 82 The Pont de Gau ornithological reserve paddle or kayak ! Pick the PONT DE GAU ORNITHOLOGICAL Route Arles - Quartier Pont de Gau KIND OF HOLIDAY perfect transport method RESERVE 13 460 Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer Stretch your legs, saddle up or be carried away! to explore the 1,200 hectares [email protected] protected nature site in between Explore this perfect site for The Crau eco-museum www. parcornithologique.com Flamant rose the Rhône Delta and La Crau Plain. spotting and taking photos 04 90 97 82 62 It all comes together to make your That means the region's scenic, natural 2,000 animal and plant species live of the many bird species here 2, place Léon Michaud break in Provence a source of wellness and historical mosaic is packed with together with 6 Camargue bull and including hundreds of Greater 13 310 Saint-Martin-de-Crau Ayard asphodel and good times. Explore at your own opportunities for you to make colourful horse farms that graze here all flamingos in their natural [email protected] pace and take a break to gaze at the memories. year. habitat ! This bird haven founded by www.cen-paca.org flora and fauna in the Alpilles, La Crau, 04 90 47 02 01 La Capelière Let's not forget people who love the Pick up one of the Camargue's nature lovers has Camargue and Montagnette. Visitor Centre for the Camargue Camargue and Provence culture and several trails with observation towers Feast your eyes on fabulous views or the Crau-Camargue PASS ! The Hunting and Nature Centre national nature reserve want to share their trades, expertise Spurge and themed panels covering over 60 grab your binoculars to spot hundreds Mas de la Samatane, Rn 113 La Capelière and traditions with you: rice growers, hectares. A treatment centre tends to of bird species. Keep your eyes and 13 310 Saint-Martin-de-Crau C 134 De Fielouse - Route Fiélouse manade owners, millers, shepherds, DOMAINE DE MÉJANES wounded birds. Not open to the public. ears open, or join a guided tour. [email protected] 13 200 Arles kitchen gardeners, arborists, farmers This 600 hectares estate was designed www.saintmartindecrau.fr [email protected] and breeders. by Paul Ricard over 80 years ago 04 86 52 03 43 www.snpn.com/reservedecamargue Naturally, a mouth-watering path between both arms of the Rhône 04 90 97 00 97 unfurls. It leads to Provence's delicious with a little train that takes you to visit Marais du Vigueirat food and drink: olives and incredible Information board the marshes. A free footpath showcases Chemin de l'Étourneau olive oils, salt, PGI rice and PDO from the seawall all the Camargue's flora and fauna. Mas-Thibert to the sea Camargue bull meat, lamb, wine and Activities in the estate's private 13 104 Arles The Alpilles regional nature park Rove breed goat herbes de Provence, colourful markets arenas and ferrades present [email protected] and their fruit and vegetable stalls. www.marais-vigueirat.reserves-naturelles.org Centre the Camargue's bull legacy. Syndicat mixte de gestion du Parc 04 90 98 70 91 Natural areas devoted Naturel Régional des Alpilles to growing rice, durum 2, boulevard Marceau wheat and alfalfa line Domaine de Méjanes 13 210 Saint-Rémy-de-Provence part of the site. Domaine de Méjanes [email protected] Alpilles 13 460 Les-Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer www.parc-alpilles.fr [email protected] 04 90 90 44 00 www.mejanes-camargue.fr 04 90 97 10 10 The Crau grasshopper Lavender Pont de Gau bird sanctuary "Piemanson" beach