The Camargue from Saintes-Maries de la Mer
Half-day
Hiking in the Camargue, France’s largest wetland delta, will allow you to marvel at enchanting natural landscapes. It is a protected territory: the Camargue Regional Nature Park. You start from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a little town located between the Mediterranean and large lagoons at the heart of this unique land. During this hike, you walk with your local guide on the dyke called Digue à la Mer. Wildlife here is of exceptional variety. And if you are interested in birdwatching, you will feel fulfilled: 400 species live here; the most famous one is the pink flamingo. On your way, a wide detour through the salt marshes, known as sansouire in Provence, along the Étang de l’Impérial, offers a palette of various colours with the passing seasons. If lucky, you may glimpse a herd of wild white horses cantering in water.
Walking time : 3 hours
Rating : easy
Season calendar : year-round
Along the Digue à la Mer
Full day
This hike allows you to enjoy views of landscapes that look like nowhere else in France. In this remote and wild region, you discover a lesser known side of Provence. While following the sea dyke, known as Digue à la Mer, you can watch pink flamingoes fishing in shimmering lagoons. Bring a pair of binoculars for a closer look. You can also see the unique flora of salt marshes. According to the season, those flats look different: muddy in the spring and fall, flooded in winter, they will be arid in summer. If interested, you will learn from your guide about this unique ecosystem. But whatever your focus, you won’t miss the magic of a country with preserved natural areas.
Walking time : 6 hours
Rating : leisurely
Season calendar : year-round