the Parc the A new life is being invented… Discover EN gl I sh

Beaches and reed beds, It is also France’s only nesting site for the flamin- rice and wheat, the salt go, its world-famous emblem. And then there ponds and the Mediter- are the bulls, horses, beavers, owls, gulls, terns, ranean – the Camargue herons and wading birds. Regional Nature Park is multifarious. The Camargue is a subtle blend of contrasts, Born out of a struggle between river and sea, the both entrancing and ever-changing. It reveals it- Camargue, in biological terms, is one of Wes- self in a multitude of ways, depending on the tern Europe’s richest regions, and an important time of day and the season. There are always stopping-off point for migratory birds as they go surprises in store for the visitor. back and forth between Europe and Africa. Enjoy your visit…

ORANGE 7 Flamingo reproduction site (Étang du Fangassier) Some of the Camargue’s animals A9 The natural heritage For more than 20 years, the Camargue Regional AVIGNON Nature Park has been managing the only site in France where flamingos reproduce, at Fangas- NÎMES A7 25 Parc naturel sier, owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral. The régional Bureau des Guides Naturalistes, in partnership des Alpilles SALON-DE- PROVENCE with the park, the Office de Tourisme in Arles, MONTPELLIER ARLES A54 the Tour du Valat and the Conservatoire du Lit- > MARSEILLE toral, organises visits, during the nesting season, Parc naturel régional to one of the western Mediterranean’s largest de Camargue flamingo colonies.

F.Larrey, T. Roger / Découverte du Vivant Roger / Découverte du T. F.Larrey, etang du fangassier – Salin-de-giraud MER MÉDITERRANÉE Pond turtle Common scarlet-darter Contact Opening times : 1 April to 30 September. (Emys orbicularis) (Crocothemis erythraea) reservations (there is an admission charge) at the Office det ourisme, Arles : tel. + 33 (0)4 42 86 89 77 or + 33 (0)6 95 90 70 48 - [email protected] www.guide-nature.fr OffiCe de tOuriSme d’ArleS 2 Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve Esplanade Charles de Gaulle - 13200 Arles (Réserve naturelle régionale du Scamandre) 8 Tel. +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20 - Fax. +33 (0)4 90 18 41 29 Domaine de la Palissade www.arlestourisme.com This typically Mediterranean wetland is exceptio- Here you will find ponds and lagoons that com- [email protected] nal in its biodiversity. A number of remarkable municate with the river and the sea, and unique bird species nest close to the reception area it- landscapes with a rich variety of flora and fauna. OffiCe de tOuriSme POrt-SAint-lOuiS self. There are 9 species of heron, and the ma- The aquatic environment provides a remarkable Tour Saint-Louis - Quai Bonnardel jority of France’s glossy ibises. Protected species habitat for fish: bass, eels, grey mullet, blenny, shad, 13230 Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône include the European pond turtle. Black-winged stilt Pied avocet Tel. +33 (0)4 42 86 01 21 - Fax. +33 (0)4 42 86 09 77 lampreys. And birds are everywhere, attracted by the (Himantopus himantopus) (Recurvirostra avosetta) www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr Syndicat mixte de la Camargue gardoise, swarming biological life. Depending on the season

[email protected] Domaine de la Palissade Centre du Scamandre, route des iscles, there are waders, avocets, sandpipers, greenshanks, gallician, vauvert - tel. +33 (0)4 66 73 52 05 and all sorts of duck, whose are particularly nume- OffiCe de tOuriSme [email protected] Some of the Camargue’s plants deS SAinteS-mArieS-de-lA-mer www.camarguegardoise.com rous when wintering. There is also a colony of herons and egrets. The Domaine de la S. Baudouin / SMCG S. Palissade is the only part of the Camargue that can be visited on horseback. Nature (to admire, but not touch)

5 avenue Van Gogh / PNRC Vialet E. Opus Species, Roché, J. Daniel, P. Chevalier, A. Boudoux - - J. Valat du Tour Johnson / A.R. Opening times : tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 am exhibitions, discovery paths, guided visits. 13460 Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to 6:00 pm. Closed on bank holidays. free admission (reservation required for Tel. +33 (0)4 90 97 82 55 - Fax. +33 (0)4 90 97 71 15 groups). Salin-de-giraud - tel. +33 (0)4 42 86 81 28 - [email protected] www.saintesmaries.com - [email protected] www.palissade.fr - Opening times : 15 november to 28 february, Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on 25 december and 1 January) - Open COmité régiOnAl de tOuriSme 4 Mas de Pin Fourcat daily the rest of the year, apart from 1 may and 11 november : 1 march to PrOvenCe-AlPeS-Côte d’Azur 14 June, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on 1 January) - 15 June to 15 September, This private domain is open to families and Maison de la région - 61, La Canebière 9:00 am to 6:00 pm - 16 September to 14 november, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm CS 10009 - 13231 Marseille Cedex 01 groups. It represents the authentic Camargue, (closed on 11 november). equestrian initiation sessions take place from the Tel. +33 (0)4 91 56 47 00 - Fax. +33 (0)4 91 56 47 01 with its herds of bulls and horses, and a myriad start of April to mid-november. www.tourismepaca.fr of birds in the marshes and ponds. Visits on hor- seback or by horse and cart. Sea daffodil Strawflower infOrmAtiOnS tOuriStiqueS (Pancratium maritimum) (Helichrysum stoechas) Sur leS BOuCheS-du-rhône route du Bac, CiAm, les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer 9 tel. +33 (0)4 66 73 51 94 The Salt works Bouches-du-rhône tourisme [email protected] 13 rue Roux de Brignoles 13006 Marseille observatory www.maspinfourcat.com - www.camargue-mer.com Tel. +33 (0)4 91 13 84 13 - Fax. +33 (0)4 91 33 01 82 The Giraud salt works, near the mouth of the www.visitprovence.com Opening times : 8:00 to 12:00 am, and 1:30 to 5:00 pm, all year round. reservations required. there is an admission charge. Grand Rhône, covers 6,000 hectares and pro- duces various compounds that are used by the 5 The Pont de Gau bird park chemical industry, including 340,000 tonnes of (Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau) sodium chloride a year. Here you can observe birds in a natural envi- the Salt works observatory is on the road This document is printed on un- ronment of 60 hectares. And there are 7 km of between Piemanson and Salin-de-giraud bleached paper, using wood from Santantonio / Salin Rey / G. G. Sea lavender Annual Saltwort

w SCOP bdd communication I Dominique Binet - 04 66 64 48 80 Crédits photos : paths that link up the marshes, ponds, reed beds, sustainably-managed forests 2015 (Limonium narbonense) (Salicorna annua) meadowlands, salt plains and irrigation chan- nels. The diversity of habitats is matched by that 12 The Vigueirat marshes,

of the birds themselves, both sedentary and mi- 3 The Château d’Avignon

mosquito repellent, sunscreen and water. and sunscreen repellent, mosquito a National Nature Reserve (Les Marais du Vigueirat)

gratory, and much has been done to facilitate the (Domaine départemental du Château d’Avignon)

Between may and October, don’t forget to bring bring to forget don’t October, and may Between observation of flamingos, herons, storks, egrets, There is a range of different landscapes : flood

teals, sparrows, wading birds and raptors. The design of the château was inspired by the

Park only in designated areas. designated in only Park plains, salt plains, ponds and woods, and the Ca- historicist predilections of the belle-époque

les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer margue’s largest reed beds. These natural spaces

unnecessary noise. unnecessary bourgeoisie. It is now a classified historic mo-

tel. +33 (0)4 90 97 82 62 are microcosms in themselves, with thousands of

respect the wildlife, and avoid making making avoid and wildlife, the respect nument, with a landscaped park and a late [email protected] birds, 4 herds of Camargue bulls and horses, 15

19th-century pumping station whose machinery S. Mercier S. www.parcornithologique.com km of paths (sections of which are built on piles),

no fires or barbecues ! barbecues or fires no Opening times : 1 April to 30 September, 9:00 observatories, etc. There are novel experiences for is still used to irrigate the former property of

paths. do not stray onto private property. private onto stray not do paths. am till sunset, and 1 October to 31 march, 10:00 am till sunset. there is an both children and adults, on foot or in horse-drawn Louis Noilly-Prat. Visits, exhibitions, cultural

admission charge. Vigueirat du Amis des Marais Les

When walking round the park, remain on the the on remain park, the round walking When carriages and an eco-path that is unique in France. events and educational activities take place

throughout the year.

Hoapo / Envies Rhônements

remember that the dunes are sensitive areas. sensitive are dunes the that remember mas thibert - tel. +33 (0)4 90 98 70 91 - [email protected]

www.marais-vigueirat.reserve-camargue.org. rd 570, les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer

take your waste home ! home waste your take The Camargue National Nature Reserve Opening times : 1 february to 7 december, 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. tel. +33 (0)4 13 31 94 54 - www.chateaudavignon.fr

Opening times : 1 April to 4 October, 9:45 am to 5:30 pm (closed monday

help us keep the Camargue clean Camargue the keep us help (Réserve naturelle nationale de Camargue) Besides free access there are guided visits (reservations necessary). to tuesday and on 1 may) - 5 Octobre to 31 march, open on thurdays and With its 13 000 hectares of ponds, lagoons and salt plains at the fridays, only for groups, reservation required. free admission to the park and

heart of the Camargue, the Camargue national nature reserve the outbuildings. for the château, there is an admission charge.

You’re in a Regional Nature Park Nature Regional a in You’re is among europe’s largest wetlands. Some advice for visitors for advice Some 10 it extends out to the shore, and takes in vaccarès lake. it is Musée du Riz totally protected, and its visitors will discover some real trea- The cultural heritage Robert Bon, the former head of the Bongran rice sures, notably 237 species of birds in pristine environments. factory and now the director of the Musée du

Riz, unveils the mysteries of rice: its history and

are to be found in the Camargue ! Camargue the in found be to are

level ! level cultivation, how it is processed, prepared and

Highest point: 4 metres above sea sea above metres 4 point: Highest 6

cies and a quarter of its plant species species plant its of quarter a and cies La Gacholle lighthouse

cooked. There are documents, scale models and Coastline : 75 km 75 : Coastline species, half of its freshwater fish spe- fish freshwater its of half species,

w (Phare de la Gacholle)

some unusual machines. And at the end of the Area : 100 000 hectares 000 100 : Area

Three quarters of France’s bird bird France’s of quarters Three year. year.

w One of the starting points for a tour of the sea Population : 10 000 10 : Population visit there is an opportunity to sample some or- migrating birds: 150 000 each each 000 150 birds: migrating w

w dyke: 20 km of pathways for pedestrians or cy- ganic products.

> Port-Saint-louis-du-rhône > nationally or worldwide or nationally clists (but not cars). Although the dunes them-

le Petit manusclat, le Sambuc, Arles > les Saintes-maries-de-la-mer Saintes-maries-de-la-mer les >

of which 489 are protected, either either protected, are 489 which of selves are out of bounds, the sea is accessible

tel. +33 (0)6 38 16 56 90

> Arles Arles >

including invertebrates): 5 700, 700, 5 invertebrates): including via marked paths. The birds include gulls, terns [email protected]. Opening times : All year

three towns towns three Animal and plant species (not (not species plant and Animal w and flamingos. Exhibition on the subject of the

H. Hote/Agence Caméléon H. round, by reservation. By reservation. there is

Camargue coast, and an observatory. Some figures Some an admission charge. Opening times: School holidays, public holidays 13 and weekends, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. 1 Musée de la Camargue Tour Saint Louis Admission free This museum provides an indispensable introduc- This tower provides an exceptional view of the Camargue, including the Saint Louis canal, the SNPN / Réserve nationale de Camargue tion to the territory, from a societal viewpoint. The

vises the « Parc naturel régional de Camargue » label. » Camargue de régional naturel Parc « the vises permanent exhibition “Le fil de temps…le fil de mouth of the Rhône and the salt ponds. It was agriculture and tourism. It emphasises sustainable development, and super- and development, sustainable emphasises It tourism. and agriculture 11

La Capelière l’eau” (The flow of water, the flow of time, in the built in 1737, for use as a lookout post and a It works to improve the quality of life of the local population, with support for for support with population, local the of life of quality the improve to works It Here, in natural landscapes, you will discover Camargue) shows how, on this island formed by lighthouse. It is now a classified historic monu-

ment, and houses the Office de Tourisme, along cultural heritage. It also provides facilities and information for visitors. visitors. for information and facilities provides also It heritage. cultural the fauna and flora of the Camargue in different the Rhône and the sea, change can be deep and

with a permanent exhibition of the largest orni- Its multidisciplinary team is responsible for the protection of nature and the the and nature of protection the for responsible is team multidisciplinary Its exhibitions, and on walks with panoramic views. rapid, and people constantly have to adapt to Authorisations for the Salin de Badon observato- their environment in order to live and work there. thological collection in the Camargue, and tem-

ries are issued at La Capelière. At the start of the 3.5 km discovery walk there is porary exhibitions. to reconcile human development and nature conservation. nature and development human reconcile to quai Bonnardel - Port-Saint-louis-du-rhône

Opening times : an observation point in wood, created by the artist

ties, the local people and the economic decision-makers. Its remit is is remit Its decision-makers. economic the and people local the ties, tel. +33 (0)4 42 86 01 21

• 1 April to 30 September, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Tadashi Kawamata for Marseille Provence 2013, Service Communication / Port-Saint-Louis The park is run on the basis of consultations between the authori- the between consultations of basis the on run is park The [email protected] and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm from which the visitor can look out over the surrounding landscape. www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr • 1 October to 31 march, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,

mas du Pont de rousty, rd 570, Arles - tel. +33 (0)4 90 97 10 82 Opening times : summer: monday to friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 am, and 1:30

and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (except tuesdays) [email protected] - www.parc-camargue.fr.

SNPN / Réserve nationale de Camargue pm to 5:00 pm. the opening hours are extended during the tourist season. Regional Nature Park Nature Regional • Closed on 25 december and 1 January the museum is open daily except on tuesdays : from 1 April to 30 September, there is an admission charge. there is an admission charge.

9:00 am to 12:30 pm and 1:00 to 6:00 pm / 1 October to 31 march, 10:00 am

Société nationale de Protection de la nature – Camargue national reserve The Camargue Camargue The to 12:30 pm and 1:00 to 5:00 pm. C 134 de fiélouse, Arles - tel. +33 (0)4 90 97 00 97 The main features of the Park’s natural and cultural heritage are to be [email protected] - www.reserve-camargue.org found on the map overleaf Local professionals work with the « Parc naturel

The Camargue is a large wetland in the Rhône delta. It is exceptionally diverse in its flora and régional » label fauna, its scenery and the culture of Provençe in all its historical grandeur.

Whether you are interested in nature or in the traditions of the Camargue, we can give you the The « Parc naturel régional » label. This label is information you need to appreciate the park, bearing in mind its vulnerability. awarded by the Ministry of the Environment to agricultural and artisanal products, skills and ser- Visiting museums or natural features, between the sea and the pools, on foot or on horseback, vices that exemplify the specificities of regional following the tourist routes or relaxing on the beach – you can organise your visit according to nature parks, the preservation of their environ- your preferences, while also respecting the quality of your surroundings. ment and their human dimension.

◗ EquEsTrian CEnTrEs Freshwater marshes Domaine Paul Ricard Cultivated land and reed beds 1 Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 10 62 Vers [email protected] 20% of the Camargue is used to grow rice. Vers Beaucaire These are common in the upper Camargue and on the banks The water taken from the Rhône for this Parc naturel of the Rhône. Nîmes 2 Bergerie d’Alivon purpose desalinates the soil to a certain régional des Alpilles Water plants such as bullrushes, cane and reeds are abun- Tél. + 33 (0)6 03 54 10 94 / (0)4 90 97 10 37 depth, and the rice fields are also home to Vers Avignon dant in the marshes, which are used for hunting and, in sum- nesting birds such as the heron. They are mer, pasturage. They provide shelter for nesting and winte- [email protected] flooded in April and allowed to dry out in ring birds. Reeds (« sagno », in Provençal) are cut in winter e Les Cabanes de Cacharel September for the harvest. etit Rhôn by the « sagneurs ». They are used as a roofing material. 3 P Arles Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 84 10 / 06 11 57 74 75 Saint-Gilles D572n [email protected] www.cabanesdecacharel.com GimeauxGimeaux Vers The salt plains (« sansouires ») Centre de Tourisme Équestre La Grenouillère D6572 Saliers Pont Van Gogh 4 1 Aix-en-Provence and meadowlands Tél. + 33 (0)6 80 25 68 58 / (0)4 90 97 90 22 D37 N113 Marseille [email protected] D570 Gra nd Rh Salt plains are a feature of the lower Camargue. Their ône salt content is so high that only a few plant species such 1 D36 L’Écurie de l’Auberge Cavalière du Pont des as glasswort, saltwort, obione and statice can survive 5 Bannes Canal du Rhône à Sète there. They are prone to periodic flooding, and in sum- 2 Albaron Gageron mer are marked by white traces due to the presence Tél. + 33 (0)6 63 65 26 08 Vers Le Paty-de- of salt. Meadowland occupies only small, fragmented [email protected] Nîmes 2 areas in which the effects of salt are less obvious. la-Trinité ◗ Bull hErds 1 Mas-Thibert 2 1 Villeneuve that offer individual visits s D37 Bois du Boucanet D570 e D58 rg o N568 Manade Mailhan g 2 Vers 5 1 s 6 3 e Martigues Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 00 12 / (0)6 15 09 09 11 d D36b e The salt ponds Aigues- D38c l [email protected] l Étang du Vaccarès Marseille 3 i 12 a Mortes r 11 These are to be found along the sea. In reality D Manade Paul Ricard Le Grau-du-Roi 4 they are lagoons that have been adapted to 2 Pioch-Badet Le Sambuc maximise their salt concentration. Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 10 62 [email protected] R The salt ponds are extensive and rich in inverte- o Pin Fourcat u brates, which makes them an important source Cabanes- te d Manade Saint-Antoine e Les Impériaux of food for birds, and in particular the flamingos, de-Cambon C 3 4 a 5 c which spend most of their time there. Tél. + 33 (0)6 10 66 02 12 D38 h a re [email protected] l 10 Phare de D35 Bac du Sauvage 5 3 Manade Cavallini l'Espiguette Bac du Sauvage 4 D570 Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 50 06 5 [email protected] 6 D36b 4 D36 Di mer Manade Jacques Bon gue à la 5 Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 28 50 [email protected] Les Saintes-Maries- 1 Musée de la Camargue 7 6 Manade Blanc de-la-Mer D36c (Reception area) Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 27 73 Bac de Barcarin [email protected] 2 Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve D (Réserve naturelle régionale du Scamandre) igue ◗ WinE groWErs à la 9 3 The Château d’Avignon me r Port-Saint-Louis- Domaine de Beaujeu (Domaine départemental du Château d’Avignon) Salin-de-Giraud 13 1 du-Rhône Tél. + 33 (0)9 64 18 90 33 / 4 90 97 22 30 4 Mas de Pin Fourcat [email protected] 5 The Pont de Gau bird park Mas de Valériole (Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau) Phare de 2 The ponds and lagoons Tél. + 33 (0)4 90 97 10 41 6 La Gacholle lighthouse Beauduc The shallow ponds of the lower Camargue are se- Phare de www.masdevaleriole.com parated from the sea by a sandbar. They are more or (Phare de la Gacholle) Phare de 8 less salty, and communicate with the sea via sluice Faraman 7 Flamingo reproduction site on Distances between the main towns : gates. They provide a refuge for birds and fish, and lé (Étang du Fangassier) po Aigues-Mortes - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 30 km play a major role in water management. a 8 Domaine de la Palissade N Aigues-Mortes - Arles 42 km The beaches and dunes Panoramic viewing area e g Arles - Salin-de-Giraud 37 km 9 Salt works observatory la The Camargue has some 50 km of beaches. Outside Tourist path Pla P Musée du riz ge de Arles - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer 37 km 10 the perimeter of the protective dykes – and thus sub- Discovery route for pedestrians and cyclists Pié Boundary of the Camargue m Arles - Port-Saint-Louis 36 km La Capelière ject to the caprices of the sea – the coastline is in a ans Regional Nature Park 11 (closed to cars) on The Vigueirat marshes permanent state of change. The dunes are inhabited Albaron - Salin-de-Giraud (par bord du Vaccarès) 40 km by spectacular flowering plants and a number of rare Boundary of the Camargue 12 (Les Marais du Vigueirat) Cycle path Salin-de-Giraud - Port-Saint-Louis 5 km National Reserve insects. 13 Tour Saint Louis Free discovery path for pedestrians © Carte et illustrations Vincent Brunot (par le bac de Barcarin)