Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue Things to Do Tips by Lady_Mystique Top 5 Page for this destination

Ride 'La Camargue'

Riding on one of the beautiful Camargue horses is a GREAT way to see La Camargue...its land, its flora, its fauna and the Mediterranean Ocean!!

Riding in 'La Camargue' is mostly Western-style: long stirrups, long reins kept in one hand only. You don't have to be a perfect Western rider to enjoy this kind of riding as it's easy to learn.

Besides, as one riding stables puts it:

"For those who don't like to ride, we have horses that don't like to be ridden." :>)

Three recommendations of stables to hire a horse...and guide:

Pony Ranch - 06.07.43.10.29
Domaine du Daladel - 04.66.73.52.08
Le Relais Oguste - 06.21.73.69.74

Mediterranean Flowering Bulb Farm

If you love gardening, especially with bulbs, this is a great place to visit!

Lauw is originally from Holland, and came here to start a bulb farm specializing in botanical species of flower bulbs that are indigenous, and adapted, to the Mediterranean climate.

Call first and make an appointment to see this interesting Bulb farm...and guest Mas (where you can stay if you are interested in exploring this area of Provence).

Address: 30300 Fourques

Directions: Close to the Camargue and Arles.

Phone: (33) 466 016 519

Website: http://%cbwww.bulbargence.com

Do the Beaches on the Mediterranean

When you get to the small town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer there is no way you can (or should) miss the beach!

Bring your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, beach umbrella, camera, and enjoy a relaxing few hours on the sand watching the waves of the Mediterranean curl along the shoreline.

You could also just walk along the beaches, but this is best done in the evening or early morning, otherwise the walkways are too crowded. At least for me they were!

Directions: The beaches at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer.

Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

Les-Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, the capital of the Camargue, is situated on the Mediterranean coast in the heart of Camargue's 'Park Naturel' with a small population of about 2300.

The Provençal Legend

Around the year 40 A.D. , a boat was launched from Jerusalem, without sail, oars or supplies, and drifted across the Mediterranen until it drifted ashore at this site. The refugees in the boat were Mary Jacobe, the mother of James and the sister of the Virgin; Mary Salome, the mother of the apostles James Major and John; Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary Magdalene and Martha; St. Maximus; Cedonius, who was born blind and cured, and sarah, the servant of the two Marys.

After landing safely, the group built a small oratory to the Virgin. The disciples wandered off their separate ways. Mary Magdalene went to St. Baume, and Martha went to Tarascon. Mary Salome , Mary Jacobe and Sarah remained in the Camargue, and were later buried in the oratory. The tomb of these three saints became a cult object, and has been the attraction of pilgrimages for the past 19 centuries. They were reburied beneath the chancel during the Barbarian invasions, and then removed and enshrined in 1448 by Good King Rene.

Directions: Where the Rhone delta (Camargue) meets the sea (Mediterranean).