Camargue

[(RIP) Johno23]

Mrs J and myself are off again to France in a couple of weeks. We know France pretty well, but this year she fancies a
night or two in the Camargue area,a place I know little or nothing about.She has done all the normal searches online and
have obviously learnt a lot from this, but I thought I would pick the brains also of the well travelled tossers on here.Someone
may have a great tip for a hotel, village to visit etc etc. I'll await with baited breath

 

[Wapping]

You'll be in an interesting bit of France, not for tight twisties or Alpine views but because it is dead flat and as such totally different to anywhere else. It gets VERY hot at the height of summer but so does the rest of Provence. The roads in and out can get busy with traffic, camper vans and the like.... You'll not be the only bod looking to go there! Just relax and take it for what it is, you are on holiday after all.

Arles is a nice town and there is a great beach at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Follow the D38 road out of Ste Maries, westwards, past the harbour. You'll see lots of cars parked (parking is free) facing the sea.

This is near enough where I mean. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@43.4...0xhIb74r7KkQGj-EsQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1 They took the street view in winter, don't be put off!!!

Find a slot, though it does get busy space wise. We used to go a lot when my parents lived near Apt in the Luberon, Provence. We aimed to get to the beach for around 10:00, set up on the beach, have a coffee, have a swim, have lunch, have a swim again and leave at around 15:30, stopping at one of the free public showers to wash the sand and salt off. You'll be lucky (or unlucky) to find any Brit's on the beach, which is a bonus. The locals who use it are all civilised. There are some cafes that let out sun beds. We never bothered but did bring a sunshade. One of those cheap chuck away half tents is good.... but you'll need to pin it down when the breeze springs up in the afternoon. The church is worth a quick look if you fancy it. It's dedicated to the Black Madonna and is of some significance to the locals. Bull fights (unlike the Spanish, the bull in not killed) are another local passion.

The boat cruises up the Rhone delta are quite nice as you'll see the bulls, horses and birdlife.

Aigues-Mortes, is a decent place, too.

The local tourist offices are very helpful. http://www.arlestourisme.com/the-camargue.html

or a Google of Camargue will turn up most of the guff..... Which she is on the case with, I see. A lady after my own heart!

Richard

PS I can never fault the Michelin Green Guides. Their guide to Provence is no exception.

 

[Tommac]

We did a day trip once while we were staying in the Ardeche but I remember it well. The town of Arles is the gateway to the Camargue and a very interesting ancient city with lots of history, cafes etc. We visited a fantastic nature reserve between Arles and Saintes Maries de la Mer that had loads of wildlife including flamingos and white horses. It was a wonderful, peaceful place and we loved it. Saintes Maries de la Mer is a seaside holiday town with loads of camping, accommodation and places to eat. It also has a bull ring right on the beach which seemed a bit incongruous. I imagine it would be very busy during the French holidays but it might be very quiet out of season.

Just you mentioning it has made me remember how lovely the area was and I quite fancy going back but for longer than a day.

Tom

 

[stolzy]

Been several times and endorse what Wappers says.

The only thing I would add is take plenty of DEET.

A horse ride through the swamps is a good way to see it too.

 

[alan29]

Man-eating mozzies.

 

[sidestand]

Same all the way round to Perpignan .......not called the 'Mosquito Coast' for nothing.
If you can overnight just back from the coastal plain, you'll have much more pleasant evenings

 

[Wapping]

Odd, as I am usually eaten alive. Not bitten once, though have never stayed there overnight.

 

[SteveM]

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer can be bad for mosquitos at night in my experience but if you take precautions it's OK.
Arles is a fabulous town with a great roman amphitheatre and architecture. There are some great hotels there too, but the one I'd particularly recommend is "Le Calendal" right next to the amphitheatre. Aix en Provence is another good spot to see, with "Cours Mirabeau" being a particularly lovely street.
Have a great time.

 

[newboy]

Arles - Hotel du Forum

Been there in car and on bike
great folk

lovely spot for the Camargue

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Thank you gents. Gives me a few things to think about

 

[Wapping]

Enjoy your holiday.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Thank you Richard

Although I have to admit we're not going on the bike this year

Mrs J has purchased herself a nice little 2 seater. So I am chauffeur for the holiday.
However, she will have her top down, so it should be a good trip.....

 

[Wapping]

Cars, made for holidays.

Chuck the bags in, drive about. Stop, lift bags out of car.... Get on with life. Easy.

 

[jully@fr]

As everybody is of good advice here, I may recommend you a really lovely road especially for your car going from Saint Rémy de Provence to les Baux de Provence départementale D5 from Saint Rémy stop at the glanum then head to les Baux de Provence by D27A drive a bit on the D27 back to Saint Rémy on that beatifull road.
I drove around many times there, always a pleasure. These small mountains are called "Les Alpilles" (very small alps) Typical mediteranien landscape
And for the Camargue drive, drive and drive, without forgetting the beach side (e.g end of the Port Saint Louis)
Bonnes Vacances