Tides and lagoon levels
Mediterranean tides are very small: only a few dozen centimetres.
In the Camargue it is mainly the wind that changes the level and salinity of the lagoons.
The mistral
A strong, cold, dry wind blowing from the north or north-west down the Rhône valley to the Mediterranean.
Mistral days bring clear skies but make kayaking, boating and cycling hard work.
Mosquitoes
40 mosquito species live in the Camargue.
Since 2006, Bti larvicide (a bacterium targeting larvae) has been used around Salin-de-Giraud and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, not across the whole delta.
Scientific monitoring by the Tour du Valat showed effects on other insects and their predators; the Park is testing traps as an alternative at Le Sambuc.
Camargue National Nature Reserve
Rules set by the decree of 24 April 1975, as published by SNPN, the reserve manager.
- No entry anywhere in the reserve, except on the sea dyke and the beach outside the dunes.
- Stay on marked paths: dunes and natural habitats are strictly off limits.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead.
- On horseback: not allowed on the dyke, allowed on the beach along the water’s edge.
- Walkers and cyclists share the dyke: be considerate of each other.
- No motor vehicles, including e-scooters and self-balancing devices.
- No flying below 1,000 m, drones included.
- Nothing may be collected; fishing and hunting are banned.
- No camping or bivouacs, no fires, leave no litter.
- Respect the peace: playing music is not allowed.
- Amateur photos only, from the dyke and the beach.
Reserve: +33 4 90 97 00 97
Activities
Horse riding on Camargue horses
The Camargue is a breed of small, hardy grey saddle horses raised semi-wild in the manades. Officially recognised as a breed in 1978, it is now mostly ridden for equestrian tourism and remains the gardians’ mount. Riding centres, ranches and manades offer rides from one hour to a full day.
Practical: Ask the provider about the required level, minimum age and equipment.
Boat trips
In Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the paddle-wheel boat Tiki III offers trips on the Petit Rhône, from the river mouth up to the Bac du Sauvage. Other operators leave from Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-du-Roi and Port-Camargue.
Practical: Times and season from each operator.
Fishing in the Camargue
In Antiquity the Vaccarès lagoon was already a major fishing ground. Today fishing is forbidden in the part of the lagoon classed as a national nature reserve and regulated around its edges. In fresh water (Rhône, canals) a fishing card is compulsory; recreational sea fishing needs no card but minimum catch sizes apply.
Practical: Fishing cards online at cartedepeche.fr (official site of the approved associations). Bouches-du-Rhône federation: peche13.fr. Gard federation: pechegard.com.
Rules: Fresh water: fishing card compulsory (membership of an AAPPMA and aquatic environment fee), valid 1 January to 31 December; follow the departmental rules. Sea: no card, minimum sizes per species, compulsory marking of certain species (removal of the lower part of the tail fin), sale of catches forbidden. Camargue national reserve: fishing forbidden in the protected part of the Vaccarès lagoon.
Cycling in the Camargue
Several routes are available: the sea dyke from Saintes-Maries, the 7 km greenway between Vauvert and Gallician, and the greenway along the RD 255 to the Espiguette lighthouse, built between 2011 and 2013. Bike rental shops are found in Arles, Saintes-Maries, Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau-du-Roi.
Practical: Bring water, sun and mosquito protection; the mistral can blow hard.
Canoeing and kayaking
A few operators listed on OpenStreetMap rent canoes and kayaks in the area. Outside these businesses, check which areas are allowed: navigation is not free in protected areas.
Practical: Life jackets provided by rental operators.
Birdwatching
In 2000-2005 the Camargue was France’s top site for wintering birds (122,000 a year). The national reserve lists 276 bird species. Greater flamingos breed here: more than 10,000 pairs have been counted since the early 1990s. The Pont de Gau park, La Capelière, the Scamandre and the Vigueirat marshes are equipped for birdwatching.
Practical: Binoculars recommended. Stay on trails and in hides.
4x4 excursions
Motor vehicles are banned from natural areas outside roads open to public traffic (Article L. 362-1 of the French Environment Code). Guided excursions use authorised roads and tracks or private estates. The open Beauduc track is often in very poor condition.
Practical: No 4x4 operator is listed in OpenStreetMap so far: ask the tourist offices.
Rules: No off-road driving: traffic allowed only on roads open to the public.
Course camarguaise (bull game)
Participants try to snatch prize trophies fixed to the forehead and horns of a cocardier bull (biòu). This sport, without killing, is practised in the Gard, the Hérault, much of the Bouches-du-Rhône and a few communes of the Vaucluse. Competition includes the Trophée des As, the Trophée des Raseteurs and the Trophée de l’Avenir. Bull games are recorded in Arles as early as the 12th or 13th century.
Practical: Programmes in village bullrings, mostly in spring and summer: see the tourist office calendars.
Ferias
The Arles Feria has been organised since 1965 by the Feria Committee, adding free festive street events to the bullfighting shows. It takes place at Easter; a second feria is held in September. The Arles arena has hosted bullfights since 1830.
Practical: Bullfights are ticketed; street events are free.
Abrivado and bandido
In the past, the abrivado meant driving the bulls from the pastures to the arena, and the bandido their return. Today these traditions re-enact those journeys in barricaded village streets: around ten riders in a V formation escort the animals while the attrapaïres try to make them break away. The abrivado usually takes place around 11 am, the bandido in the evening.
Practical: Stay behind the barriers. Programmes during village festivals.
Rules: A dangerous spectacle: children must stay behind the barriers.
Camargue beaches
The Espiguette headland at Le Grau-du-Roi has nearly 18 km of protected dunes. Beauduc has one of the largest sandy beaches in the Mediterranean, popular with kitesurfers. Port-Saint-Louis has the Napoléon, Olga and Carteau beaches; Piémanson stretches south of Salin-de-Giraud.
Practical: Little shade and few services on wild beaches: bring water and a parasol. Respect the dunes.