Camargue Road Trip: The Perfect Itinerary with 10 Unforgettable Stops

Contents:

• 1. Arles: A historical start to the Camargue tour

• 2. Abbaye de Montmajour: Romanesque architecture on the outskirts of Arles

• 3. Aigues-Mortes: A medieval town amongst the salt marshes

• 4. Pont de Gau Bird Park: Seeing flamingos

• 5. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: A coastal town in the heart of the Camargue

• 6. Phare de la Gacholle: Nature trails between the sea and the lagoons

• 7. Étang de Vaccarès: The tranquil natural heart of the Camargue

• 8. Salin-de-Giraud: Salt flats and sweeping horizons

• 9. Piémanson Beach: A wild, natural beach on the Mediterranean

• 10. Domaine de la Palissade: A nature reserve to round off your visit

1. Arles: A historic start to a tour of the Camargue

Arles is an ideal starting point for a tour of the Camargue. The town lies on the northern edge of the region and combines the Provençal way of life with an impressive history. Particularly worth seeing are the Roman amphitheatre, the ancient theatre and the narrow streets of the old town, where cafés, small boutiques and historic squares alternate. Traces of Vincent van Gogh are also still visible in Arles today: The artist lived here for a time and created numerous works inspired by the town and its surroundings. Whilst many of his paintings now hang in museums around the world, information boards at various locations in Arles highlight the subjects of his paintings right where they were painted, allowing visitors to experience his perspectives on the townscape.

If you’d like to start your Camargue tour at a leisurely pace, it’s a good idea to plan to spend a night in Arles. A lovely option, for example, is a stay at Le Cloître, which is centrally located in the historic old town and just a few steps away from the amphitheatre and the ancient theatre. For your first evening meal, Le Criquet fits in well with the itinerary: the restaurant is close to the ancient theatre and serves Provençal cuisine featuring regional classics such as fish soup, aioli or gardianne de taureau.

2. Montmajour Abbey: Romanesque architecture on the outskirts of Arles

Just a few minutes’ drive outside Arles, the Abbaye de Montmajour stands on a small hill. The former Benedictine abbey is one of the most impressive Romanesque buildings in Provence and, with its ancient walls, tranquil courtyards and sweeping views, seems almost timeless.

This stop can be easily combined with a visit to Arles and is particularly suitable for anyone who loves historic sites but doesn’t want to spend too much time there. The vast landscape surrounding the abbey already begins to open up, making the transition from Provence to the Camargue palpable. A picnic featuring regional specialities is the perfect way to take a short break before the tour continues southwards.

3. Aigues-Mortes: a medieval town amongst the salt marshes

Aigues-Mortes lies on the western edge of the Camargue and is one of the region’s most impressive destinations. Even from a distance, the fully preserved city walls dominate the view. Within the walls, you’ll find narrow alleyways, squares, cafés and shops, all of which are best explored on a leisurely stroll.

The walk along the city walls is particularly lovely. From the top, the view stretches across the old town, the surrounding lagoons and the vast salt marshes, which shimmer in delicate shades of pink, white and violet depending on the light. A detour to the salt marshes is also well worth it, as they showcase one of the Camargue’s most characteristic landscapes and provide a charming contrast to the medieval town. It is precisely this interplay of history, water and the salt landscape that makes Aigues-Mortes one of the most atmospheric stops on a tour of the Camargue.

Le Dit Vin in the old town is the perfect spot for a break or dinner. Those wishing to stay overnight will find Le Dit Vin Secret to be ideal accommodation in the historic centre.

4. Pont de Gau Bird Park: Seeing flamingos

The Pont de Gau Bird Park is one of the best places to spot flamingos in the Camargue. Several circular walks lead along well-maintained paths through reeds, waterways and wetlands. Here, you can often see flamingos, herons and many other bird species at close quarters.

A visit early in the morning or in the late afternoon is particularly lovely, when the light falls softly over the lagoons. The park is also ideal for travellers with little experience of birdwatching, as the paths are easily accessible and the birds can often be spotted without having to search for long. If you fancy a break afterwards, it’s best to carry on to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer – there’s a wider selection of restaurants and cafés by the sea there.

5. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: a coastal town in the heart of the Camargue

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is considered one of the best-known places in the Camargue. This small coastal town combines beaches, a promenade, a fishing harbour and the old town within a compact area, making it an ideal spot for a longer stopover during your tour. Particularly worth seeing is the fortified church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer, from whose roof there is a sweeping view over the town, the sea and the surrounding lagoons.

It’s also well worth a stop for the food: for oysters, mussels and seafood, La Cave à Huîtres is a lovely spot by the harbour. If you’re looking for a more modern and relaxed dining experience, you’ll find further restaurants serving fish, seafood and regional specialities around the promenade and the old town. For an overnight stay, Vila de la Mar in the town centre or the Hotel Casa Marina, right by the beach, are particularly good choices if you’d like to round off the evening by the sea.

6. Phare de la Gacholle: Nature trails between the sea and the lagoons

The Phare de la Gacholle is situated in one of the Camargue’s most unspoilt landscapes and cannot be reached directly by car. The starting point is usually the car park at the Digue à la Mer, south-east of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. From there, a flat, clearly marked path leads through the vast coastal and lagoon landscape to the lighthouse. The route is around 10 kilometres there and back. On foot, you should allow for a total of about 2 to 3 hours’ walking time; by bike, the journey is correspondingly quicker. As there are no cafés, restaurants or shops along the way, you should take plenty of water, sun protection and some provisions with you.

The special appeal of this stop lies less in the destination itself than in the journey. The route winds its way between the Mediterranean, salt marshes, lagoons and tranquil stretches of water. Depending on the season and water levels, you may spot flamingos, herons, other waterbirds and, with a bit of luck, Camargue horses or black bulls. The landscape feels open, windswept and almost untouched – a place where the vastness of the Camargue is particularly palpable. Once you reach the lighthouse, it’s worth taking a short break to soak up the tranquillity and seclusion of this special natural spot.

7. Étang de Vaccarès: The tranquil natural heart of the Camargue

The Étang de Vaccarès is the largest lake in the Camargue and defines the landscape of the nature park. Around the lake, the region appears particularly vast and tranquil: reeds, lagoons, expanses of water and open horizons characterise the scene. For many travellers, it is precisely this tranquil landscape that is the true magic of the Camargue.

A good starting point is La Capelière, the Maison de la Réserve et du Vaccarès on the edge of the lake. There, you can gain an initial insight into the Camargue’s protected natural environment and explore a short nature trail with observation points. If you’re travelling by car, you can then follow the route along the eastern shore, stopping every now and then to take in the scenery. This stop is less suited to a traditional sightseeing itinerary and more to quiet breaks, nature spotting and photo opportunities.

If you’d like to combine this part of the Camargue with a special culinary experience, La Chassagnette is an excellent choice: the restaurant is situated in the Camargue near Arles, has been awarded a Michelin star and makes extensive use of seasonal ingredients from its own garden. For a peaceful overnight stay in the heart of nature, Mas de Peint is the perfect choice – a stylish boutique hotel set on a sprawling estate with horses, bulls and plenty of that quintessential Camargue atmosphere.

8. Salin-de-Giraud: Salt flats and sweeping horizons

Salin-de-Giraud has been closely associated with salt production for over a hundred years and remains one of the most important salt-producing regions in the Camargue to this day. In the sprawling salt pans, seawater is channelled through a system of basins. The sun and wind cause the water to evaporate gradually until the salt finally crystallises and can be harvested.

Particularly fascinating are the vibrant shades of pink, orange and violet on the water’s surface. These are caused by the microalgae Dunaliella salina, which thrives in the highly saline water. Not only does it give the salt pans their extraordinary colours, but it also forms the food source for small brine shrimp, which in turn are eaten by the famous Camargue flamingos – and to which they ultimately owe their pink colouring. Depending on the season, sunlight and salinity, the colours of the basins change, constantly offering new photo opportunities.

It is precisely this contrast that makes Salin-de-Giraud so special. After the historic towns, the lagoons and the coastal resorts, the landscape seems almost surreal and differs markedly from the other stops on the tour. Anyone who enjoys photography or unusual natural phenomena should definitely allow a little more time here. 

9. Piémanson Beach: A long, natural beach on the Mediterranean

To the south of Salin-de-Giraud lies Plage de Piémanson, one of the most impressive natural beaches in the Camargue. The beach is wide, open and unspoilt. Instead of beach bars and a promenade, you’ll find sand, wind, the horizon and the feeling of having arrived at the edge of a truly unspoilt landscape. Coming straight from the salt marshes of Salin-de-Giraud, this stop feels like a gentle, peaceful transition to the sea.

Plage de Piémanson is particularly well suited to long walks, quiet breaks and a picnic right on the beach. Anyone wishing to experience the wild side of the Mediterranean will find plenty of space, light and open expanses here – particularly beautiful in the late afternoon, when the colours soften and the landscape seems almost endless. When visiting, you should bring plenty of water, sun protection and provisions, as there are no cafés or restaurants directly on the beach.

10. Domaine de la Palissade: a nature reserve to round off your trip

The Domaine de la Palissade is a peaceful and ideal way to round off a tour of the Camargue. The nature reserve is set in a particularly unspoilt landscape between the Rhône, wetlands and open spaces. Marked trails allow you to explore various parts of the reserve – from watercourses and reed beds to vast plains where the Camargue once again appears particularly wild and unspoilt.

With a bit of luck, you may also come across the famous Camargue horses, which are among the region’s best-known symbols. These sturdy, mostly white horses have lived in close harmony with the Camargue landscape for centuries and are traditionally looked after by the gardians, the region’s horsemen. Together with black bulls, flamingos and numerous waterbirds, they characterise the unique landscape of this natural area. It is at the Domaine de la Palissade in particular that you can once again experience this tranquil, unspoilt side of the Camargue to the full.

The Domaine de la Palissade is the perfect place to wind down and reflect on your tour in peace. Afterwards, you can end your trip in Arles, head back to the seaside at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, or continue on towards Montpellier. From Arles, you can reach Montpellier by car in about an hour – ideal if you’d like to combine your Camargue tour with a vibrant city, Mediterranean architecture and further excursions along the coast.

Conclusion: A round trip through the Camargue uniquely combines stunning natural scenery, historic towns and the Mediterranean way of life. From the Roman monuments in Arles to flamingos and wild horses, right through to endless sandy beaches, you’ll experience the region in all its facets. With these ten stops, you’ll discover the very best of the Camargue and lay the perfect foundation for an unforgettable journey through the south of France.