The Camargue is an expansive area of wetlands set between the two arms of the Rhône and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of France’s least known regions of enormous ecological importance. Its diverse eco-systems and protected areas provide sanctuary to both flora and fauna, including hundreds of species of birds. From Sete, you’ll travel east along the etangs, the salt-water lagoons, to the marshlands where Louis IX established Aigues-Mortes in the 13th century. The first Mediterranean port under the control of the French crown, it is all medieval fortress on the outside: 1,600 meters of ramparts, more than a dozen towers and 10-plus portes. Enter through one of these fortified doors to discover a lively little town behind the austere stone walls. A guided walk showcases the town’s history and key sights such as the Place Saint-Louis, the main square, and Notre-Dame-des-Sablons, the church that was built before the wall. Then enjoy free time to explore the tidy grid of narrow cobbled streets that are filled with restaurants, cafes, shops and bars. The tour then heads to the nearby Domaine Royal de Jarras, whose vineyards are planted in the sandy soil of a coastline built up over centuries by silt and sediment carried out to sea by the Rhône. After a short introduction to the estate, a winemaker will guide you in a hands-on exercise of tasting different varieties of grapes and creating your own unique blend. You’ll also taste the estate’s whites and roses, served with a light snack. Completing your Camargue experience is the abrevade, a type of running of the bulls. You’ll lend at hand at the game-like herding that is supervised by the gardians, France’s own cowboys. They ride the region’s famous white horses, purportedly one of the oldest equine breeds in the world.
Explore the heritage and unique culture of the Rhone Delta, whose wetlands and coastal landscapes sustain wildlife, plants and agriculture.