Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux

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Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
Where
 to watch birds…
 in the Camargue Regional
 Nature Park - France

The Camargue is the largest wetland in France
and is renowned internationally for nature conservation
and the protection of birds. Approximately two thirds of all
birds found in Europe can be observed in the Camargue,
making it a favourite destination for both professional and
amateur ornithologists.
Situated on the crossroads of Africa, Europe and the
Mediterranean, the Camargue represents an important
stopover for the hundreds of thousands of migrating
birds that pass through each year. It is also home
to the only Greater Flamingo nesting site in France.
With the aim of promoting and protecting its unique
natural and cultural heritage, the Camargue was classified
as a Biophere Reserve by UNESCO in 1977 and
a large section of it has been designated as a Regional
Nature Park since 1970.
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
Vers

          Where are the main                                                                                                  Vers
                                                                                                                              Nîmes
                                                                                                                                                                  Beaucaire                                                                                                                                                                                 The park
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            in numbers
          observation sites ?                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Parc naturel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     régional
                                                                                                                                               e                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Created in 1970
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Covers 3 districts :
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ARLES                                                                                                                                    - Arles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              - Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
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                                                                                  D6572              T                                                                                                                                                                     Aix-en-Provence                                                                    - Port Saint Louis du Rhône
                                                                                                         ST-GILLES                  SALIERS                                                          Pont Van Gogh                           RAPHÈLE
                                                                                                                                                                GIMEAUX                                                                                                    Marseille                                                                        • 10 000 inhabitants
                                                                                                                                                           70
                                                                                                                                                         D5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           D3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 100 000 hectares
                                                                       Centre du                                                                                              GAGERON
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       A54

                                                                      Scamandre                                              ALBARON                                                                          D3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                6
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • 75 km of coastline
                                                                                                                                                                  4                                                                                                                                                                                         • 400 observed bird species
                         Vers                                                                                                 LE PATY-DE                                                                                                                                                                                NORD
                         Nîmes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • 3/4 of bird species,
                                                                                                                              LA-TRINITÉ
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1/2 of the freshwater fish
                                                                                                                        0
                                                                                                                                                                               D37
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                                                          D5
                                                                                                                                            6                                                                                                                                                                          Marseille                              species found in France

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              can be seen in the Camargue

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                                                                                      D38c
                                                                                                                                                           Réserve naturelle                                                                                                                                                                                • Distances :

                                                                                                                            Dra
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               LE SAMBUC                                           1                                                          - Arles to Les Saintes-Maries-
LE GRAU DU ROI                                                                                PIOCH-BADET                                               nationale de Camargue
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                de-la-Mer : 40 km
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2                                                                                                             - Arles to Salin-de-Giraud : 40 km

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                                                      PIN FOURCAT                                                                      Les Impériaux                                                                                                                                                                                                          - Arles to Port Saint Louis : 52 km

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  © Carte et illustrations Vincent Brunot
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       Boundary of the Camargue                                                                                                                                        e de
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       Regional Nature Park                                                                                                                                                      ud
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           SALIN-DE                                Bac de Barcarin
                                           Mediterranean Sea

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       Access roads                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         GIRAUD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            PORT ST LOUIS
       Bird watching sites                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Point de vue                     DU RHÔNE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            du sel
       Tourist Information
                                                                                                                                                                          9                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     11
                                                                                                                                                                                                Phare de
    The vast wetland zone of the Camargue                       of the best observation sites and their different                                                                               Beauduc                                                                         Phare de
    Regional Nature Park, on the delta where                    approaches for observing birds :                                                                                                                                                                                Faraman                                                                                                                                                      n
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 10                                                                      léo
    the Rhone meets the Mediterranean Sea, is of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      po
                                                                • trails with free access on sites of low sensitivity

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          N a
    huge environmental and cultural interest.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Plage de P

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Pla
                                                                • trails with purpose built hides on sites of                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 nson
    Various economic activities have developed in
                                                                  special interest
    this rural area, such as tourism, hunting, fishing,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              6 Draille des 5 gorges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
    rice production and horse and cattle farming...             • guided tours on highly sensitive and                                                                 1 The Marais du Vigueirat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
    The Camargue is made up of a number of private                protected sites                                                                                        Nature Reserve                                                                                                                       7 Digue à la mer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
    estates which are not always open to the general                                                                                                                   2 Marais du Verdier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
                                                                We wish you a very enjoyable stay in the                                                                                                                                                                                                      8 Étang du Fangassier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
    public.
                                                                Camargue and hope you make the most of
    To help you to enjoy your birdwatching                      your time here. Please keep in mind that it’s the
                                                                                                                                                                       3 The Camargue Nature Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9                                                9 Pointe de Beauduc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17
                                                                                                                                                                         La Capelière
    experience in the best possible conditions, we’ve           responsibility of each and every one of us to
                                                                                                                                                                       4 Mas du Pont de Rousty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11                                    10 Domaine de la Palissade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19
    put together this booklet describing a number               safeguard the area’s natural beauty.
                                                                                                                                                                       5 Pont de Gau bird sanctuary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13                                             11 They du Mazet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          3
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
The Marais du Vigueirat
    1      Nature Reserve                                                                                                  > Fauna and flora found here

The Vigueirat marshes belong to the « Conservatoire du Littoral » coastal protection                                                                    BIRDS
agency. They stretch over 1 200 hectares where meet the remarkable ecosystems of the Rhone
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Bee-eater
delta and the Crau steppe. Many plant and animal species can be observed here including over                                                            • All year round : Glossy ibis,
300 species of birds. Explore this exceptional reserve via a 15 km network of tracks, either with                                                       Red-crested Pochard, Bittern,
                                                                                                                                                        Moustached Warbler, Egret,
or without a tour guide, by foot or by horse and cart. For a closer insight, choose the option of a 5 km
                                                                                                                                                        Greylag Goose, White Stork,              FAUNA
tour at the heart of the reserve with a professional nature guide.                                                                                      Greater Flamingo
Open from February to December 10:00 - 17:00.                                                                                                           • During the summer : Purple            Dragonflies, Butterflies (Southern
Cafe open for drinks and snacks from April to September.                                                                                                Heron, Little Bittern, Squacco          Festoon), European pond turtle,
Free parking and picnic areas.                                                                                                                          Heron, Night heron, Bee-eater,          snakes (Malpolon monspessulanu),
Access to the « Starling » trails is free. Advance booking necessary for guided tours.                                                                  Great Spotted Cuckoo,                   wild boar, Camargue horses and
                                                                                                                                                        Common Tern, Short-toed,                cattle…
                                                                                                                                                        Eagle, Black-winged stilt
                                                                                                                                                        • During the winter : Ducks,             FLORA
             Vers Arles         D3                              Vers Saint-Martin-                                                                      Booted Eagle, Penduline Tit
                                  5                                  de-Crau                       NORD
                                                                                                                                                        • During migration periods :
                                                      4

                                                                                                                                                                                                Reeds, salicornia, sea lavender,
                                                    D2

                                                                                                                                                        Black Stork, Spoonbill,                 Summer snowflake, Iris spuria,
                                                                                                                                                        Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern,         Aristolochia, Sedges, Lilies
                                Gr

                                                    2       2                         Réserve naturelle nationale                                       Black Tern, White-winged Tern,
                                  an

                                                                                        des Coussouls de Crau
                                    dR

                                             Mas Thibert
                                             M                                                                                                          Whiskered Tern
                                      hô
                                        ne

          Étang du Vaccarès                                     ACCUEIL                              PLAINE DE
                                                                                                     LA CRAU
                                                                                                                           > In the surrounding area
           Réserve naturelle                            1
        nationale de Camargue                                    Réserve naturelle nationale
                                                                  des marais du Vigueirat                                  ACTIVITIES                   FOOD                                     ACCOMMODATION
                                                                                                            Vers Fos-
                                    SSambuc
                                 Le Sam                                                                     sur-Mer
    Key                                                                                                                                                   1                                      1
                                                                                                        N5

                                                                                                                               Coussouls de Crau            Marais du Vigueirat Cafe                Domaine de l’Isle
                                                                                                          68

          Restaurant/food                                                                                                  Nature Reserve               (open from April to September)          Saint-Pierre
                                                        Isle
          Accommodation                             Saint-Pierre                                                           Museum Ecomusée de la Crau   Marais du Vigueirat                     RD 35 - 13104 Mas-Thibert
                                                                                                                           Boulevard de Provence        13104 Mas-Thibert                        +33 (0)4 90 98 70 30
                                      D36

          Accessible by bike
                                                            1                                                              13310 Saint-Martin de Crau    +33 (0)4 90 98 70 91                  www.islesaintpierre.fr
          Trails
                                                                                                                            +33 (0)4 90 47 02 01
          Observation points                                                                                                                             2                                        2
                                                                                                                       8   www.reserve-crau.org             Ô Bistrot                               Gîte du Vigueirat
                                                                          ViaRhôna                                  N26
          Marais du Vigueirat                                                                                                                           15 rue Alain Guigue                     RD 24 - 13104 Mas-Thibert
          Nature Reserve              Vers Salin-    Vers Port St Louis                        Vers Port St Louis               ViaRhôna cycle route    13104 Mas-Thibert                        +33 (0)6 77 86 70 56
          Camargue Park               de-Giraud          du Rhône                                  du Rhône
          boundary
                                                                                                                           www.viarhona.com              +33 (0)9 67 10 77 85                  www.abritel.fr/location-vacances/
                                                                                                                           Accessible from Arles,                                               p1019654
                                                                                                                           Port Saint Louis du Rhône
    CONTACT                                                                                                                and Mas-Thibert
                                                                                                                                                         ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
    Address : Les Marais du Vigueirat                       Phone : +33 (0)4 90 98 70 91
                                                                                                                                                         E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
    Town : 13104 Mas-Thibert                                Email : visites.mdv@espaces-naturels.fr                                                      Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
    GPS : Lat. 43.536292 - Long. 4.753211                   www.marais-vigueirat.reserves-naturelles.org
                                                                                                                                               + info    Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   5
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
2     Marais du Verdier                                                                                              > Fauna and flora found here

Acquired by the « Tour du Valat Foundation » research centre in 2003, the Verdier marshes                                                                 BIRDS
are managed by the organisation « Les marais du Verdier » in association with the residents of the
adjacent village, Sambuc. The site covers four ancient fishing basins totalling 120 hectares and                                                          • All year round :
consists of a variety of different habitats (reedbeds, freshwater and salt marshes, lagoons, Tamarix                                                      Glossy ibis, Purple Galliunule,                             Collared Pratincole
                                                                                                                                                          Moustached Warbler,
groves). It’s a haven for waterbirds. An observation platform and hide provide convenient
                                                                                                                                                          Bittern                                  FAUNA
viewing points.
                                                                                                                                                          • During the summer :
Nature trails are free to access all year round. Park in Sambuc village then pass down the side of the football                                           Collared Pratincole,                    Dark and Southern Emerald
field and cross the wooden footbridge. A notebook has been made available in the cabin where you are                                                      Great Reed Warbler,                     Damselflies, Scarce Chaser,
invited to make a note of your observations.                                                                                                              Little Bittern, Stone Curlew            Montpellier Snake, Ladder snake,
                                                                                                                                                          • During the winter :                   Parsley Frog…
                                                                                                                                                          Penduline Tit, Bluethroat,
                                                                                                                                                          Greylag Goose, Red-crested               FLORE
                    D37                                                             Key                                                                   Pochard, Teal
      Villeneuve              Vers Arles
                                                                  NORD                     Restaurant/food                                                • During migration periods :            Crypsis aculeata,

                                                                                      4
                                                                                                                                                          Spoonbill, Black-winged Stilt,          Crypsis schoenoides,

                                                                                    D2
                                                         D35

                                                                                           Accommodation
                                                                                                                                                          Bearded Reedling, Little Crake          Zannichellie pédonculée…
                                                                                           Cattle farm
                                2
                                                   Gr

                                                                                           Accessible by foot
                                                     an

                                                                                           Accessible by bike
                                                       dR

                                                                  Mas Thibert
                                                         hô

                                                                                           Wine-yard
                                                           ne

                                      1                                                    Marais du Verdier
                                                                                           Trails                        > In the surrounding area
                                             D3

                                                                                           Observation points
                                               6

                                                                                           Camargue Park boundary        ACTIVITIES                       FOOD                                     ACCOMMODATION
    Étang du
    Vaccarès        La Capelière                                                                                                                           1                                       1
                                                                                                                             Guided tour of the Tour          L’Estrambord                            Mas de Guinot
                                                                                                                         du Valat Regional Nature         7 rue de l’École du Sambuc              Route de Guinot - Le Sambuc
                                                              Le Sambuc                            Réserve naturelle
                                                                                                                         Reserve                          13200 Arles                             13200 Arles
                                                                                                  nationale des marais
                                                                      1         ViaRhôna              du Vigueirat       Bureau des Guides Naturalistes    +33 (0)4 90 97 20 10                   +33 (0)4 90 97 20 68
          D36b

                                                                                                                          +33 (0)6 95 90 70 48           www.lestrambord.fr                      www.mas-guinot.camargue.fr
                                                                                                                         www.guide-nature.fr
                                                            D36

                                                                                                                                                           2                                        2
                                                                                                                         www.tourduvalat.org                  La Chassagnette                            Mas de Peint
                             Tour du Valat                                                                               Advance booking only             Route du Sambuc - 13200 Arles           Le Sambuc - 13200 Arles
               Vers Salin-                          Vers Salin-   2                 Vers Port St Louis                                                     +33 (0)4 90 97 26 96                   +33 (0)4 90 97 20 62
               de-Giraud                            de-Giraud                           du Rhône
                                                                                                                            Visit an organic wine         www.chassagnette.fr                     www.masdepeint.com
                                                                                                                         and rice farm
                                                                                                                         Domaine de Beaujeu - Sambuc
    CONTACT                                                                                                              13200 Arles
                                                                                                                          +33 (0)9 64 18 90 33            ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
    Address : Hameau du Sambuc                                                                                           www.domainedebeaujeu.fr           E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
    Town : 13200 Arles                                                                                                                                     Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
    GPS : Lat. 43.5252715 - Long. 4.7061412                www.lesmaraisduverdier.fr
                                                                                                                                               + info      Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           7
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
The Camargue Natural Reserve
    3      La Capelière                                                                                                          > Birds that can be seen here

Covering 13 000 hectares in the heart of the Camargue, the Natural Reserve is one of the largest                                                                    LA CAPELIÈRE
wetland nature reserves in Europe. Its uniqueness and special interest to international heritage                                                                                                                  Night Heron
rests in its ecological function, as well as the vast diversity of inhabitants and species that are                                                                 • All year round :
found there (in particular the 276 bird species, of which 258 are of special interest). The site                                                                    Bittern, Great Egret,
                                                                                                                                                                                                             ÉTANG DU VACCARÈS
                                                                                                                                                                    White Stork, Kingfisher,
has been managed by the national society for the protection of nature since 1927 and was officially
                                                                                                                                                                    Cetti’s Warbler
classed as a nature reserve in 1975. The Capelière visitor centre on the reserve is where you can                                                                                                           Greater Flamingo, Osprey, Great
find all the information that you need concerning the various nature trails and sites of interest in the area                                                       • During the summer :                   Crested Grebe, Black-necked
                                                                                                                                                                    Little Bittern, Night Heron,            Grebe, Red-breasted merganser,
(La Capelière, Salin-de-Badon, Etang du Vaccarès, etc).
                                                                                                                                                                    Black-winged stilt, Green               Coot, ducks, Egret, Slender-billed
Open every day from April to September : 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:00 and from October to March,                                                                 Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank,            Gull, Bearded Reedling, herons,
apart from on Tuesdays : 09:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 17:00. Entrance : 3€.                                                                                            reed warblers                           Caspian Tern, Sandwich Tern,
                                                                                                                                                                    • During the winter :                   Horned Grebe, Cormorant,
                                                                                                                                                                    Teal, Shoveler Duck, Tufted Duck,       Little Gull
     Key                                             Gageron                                                                                                        Pochard, Snipe, Penduline Tit
                                                                                                   ViaRhôna
                                                                              Vers Arles
           Restaurant/food                                                                                       NORD                                               • During migration periods :             SALIN DE BADON
           Accommodation                                                         2                                                                                  Ducks, waders, plovers,
                                                               1                                                                                                    redshanks
           Cattle farm                                                                                                                                                                                      Spoonbill, Greylag Goose, Marsh
                                                               Villeneuve
           Wine-yard                                                                                                                                                                                        Sandpiper, Eurasian Curlew,
                                                            D37                  2

                                                                                                     D35

                                                                                                                         4
                                                                                                                       D2
           Accessible by foot                                                                                                                                                                               Red-rumped Swallow,
                                                                   1
           Accessible by bike
                                                                                                   Gr
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Yellow Wagtail…
                                                                       D36b

                                                                                                     an
           Trails                                Étang du
                                                                                                       dR

                                                 Vaccarès
                                                                                                         hô
           Observation points
                                                                                                                                 > In the surrounding area
                                                                                                           ne

           Camargue Park boundary
                                            Réserve naturelle                         La Capelière
           Camargue Nature
           Reserve boundary              nationale de Camargue                                             Le Sambuc             ACTIVITIES                         FOOD                                     ACCOMMODATION
                                                                          D36b

                                                                                                                                                                     1                                       1
                                                                                                                                     Manade Blanc                        La Telline                              Mas Saint-Germain
                                                                                 Tour du Valat                                   Domaine de Paulon                  Villeneuve - 13200 Arles                Villeneuve - 13200 Arles
                                                                                                                                 Le Sambuc - 13200 Arles             +33 (0)4 90 97 01 75                   +33 (0)4 90 97 00 60
                                                                                                          D36

                                                                   Étang du                                                       +33 (0)4 90 72 27 73             www.restaurantlatelline.fr              massaintgermain.com
                                                                   Fournelet
                                                                                                                                 www.manade-blanc.fr
                                                                                                                                                                     2                                        2
                             Digue à la mer                                                                                                                              Chez Bob                                Mas Antonelle
                                                                                                                                    Guided tour of an organic       D 37 - Route du Sambuc                  Villeneuve - 13200 Arles
                                                               Salin de Badon                                                    wineyard                           13200 Arles                              +33 (0)490 97 00 32
                                                                                                                    Vers Port
                                                                                                                   Saint Louis   Domaine de Valériole - Le Sambuc    +33 (0)4 90 97 00 29                  www.antonelle.net
                                               Phare de                                                             du Rhône
                                                                                                                                 13200 Arles                        http://restaurantbob.fr
                                              la Gachole                                         Vers Salin-
        Mer Méditerranée                                                                         de-Giraud                        +33 (0)4 90 97 10 41
                                                                                                                                 www.masdevaleriole.com
    CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                                     ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
    Address : La Capelière                                          Phone : +33 (0)4 90 97 00 97
                                                                                                                                                                     E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
    Town : 13200 Arles                                              Email : infos@reserve-camargue.org                                                               Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
    GPS : Lat. 43.533733 - Long. 4.6521497                          www.reserve-camargue.org
                                                                                                                                                      + info         Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                9
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
4              Mas du Pont de Rousty                                                                                                                                  > Fauna and flora found here

To follow the tracks around Mas de Pont de Rousty is to immerse oneself in the fluvio-lacustrine                                                                                                         BIRDS
zone of the Camargue where the natural habitat (reedbed marshes) is influenced by freshwater
sediments brought in by the Rhone and various agricultural activities such as rice and cattle                                                                                                            • All year round :
production. Here, 80 hectares of reedbeds provide home to a wide range of birdlife (herons and                                                                                                           Flamingo, herons, Bittern,                           Purple heron / Camargue bull
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Great Egret, Reed Bunting,
reed passerines). The seasonal flooding of these fields of bulrushes creates feeding grounds for
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier,
waders in spring and ducks in winter. A purpose-built hide allows for the easy observation of these birds.                                                                                               Purple Gallinule, Kingfisher             FAUNA
Nature trails with observation points and hides. Open all year round. Free to enter.                                                                                                                     • During the summer :
Information and starting point at the « Musée de la Camargue ».                                                                                                                                          Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron,             Southern Festoon butterfly,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Collared Pratincole, Bee-eater,         Pond Turtle, Mediterranean
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Black-winged Stilt, Common Tern,        Tree Frog, Green Lizard,
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Yellow Wagtail                          Rabbit…
                                                                                                                                                                                                         • During the winter :
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Teal, Shoveler Duck,
         SAINT-GILLES                                  RD
                                                         572
                                                            N                                                              NORD                  Vers ARLES
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Common Crane
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  FLORA

                                                                                                                                                                                                         • During migration periods :            Sea lavender, Stinking Iris,

                                                                                                                                                                   E
                                                          Saliers                                                                                                                                        Spotted Redshank, Snipe,

                                                                                                                                                                HÔN
                                                                                                           lle                    Gimeaux                                                                                                        Salicorna…
                                                                                                       oste
                                                                                                    omp

                                                                                                                                                      LE GRAND R
                                                                                             53
                                                                                         GR6 es de C
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Great Spotted Cuckoo,
                 NE

                                                                                            qu
                                                                                       t-Jac                                                                                                             Whiskered Tern
              RHÔ

                                                                                   de S aux
                                                                               min        e
         ETIT

                                          Manade                            Che de Gim
                                                                                te
     LE P

                                                                             Rou                Manade
                         s

                                          Salièrene
                      are

                                                                                                Mailhan
                   Fig
                de

                                                                                                                                            3
            ute

                                                                                                                                                                       > In the surrounding area
          Ro

                                                                                                                          570
                                                                                                                        RD
                      Marais de           37                                        Musée de
                                        RD
                       Saliers                                                    la Camargue                                     Key                                  ACTIVITIES                        ACCOMMODATION / FOOD                     ACCOMMODATION
       Bois de                                                      Centre administratif                                                Restaurant/food
       Lauricet                                                           du Parc                                                                                                                          1   1                                  2
                                                                                                                                        Accommodation                  Camargue Museum                            Hôtel 2* Restaurant               Gîtes du Mas de la Vigne
                                                                                                                                        Cattle farm                    Mas du Pont de Rousty             le Flamant Rose                         Chemin de Figares
                                                                         Cabane
                2                                                                                                                                                      13200 Arles                       Route Départementale 37                 13123 Albaron
                                                                        de Gardian                            Champs                    Accessible by foot
                                                      Albaron                                               de taureaux                                                 +33 (0)4 90 97 10 82            13123 Albaron                            +33 (0)4 90 97 11 29
                                                      1     1                                                                           Trails                         www.parc-camargue.fr/musee.html    +33 (0)4 90 97 10 18                  www.masdelavigne.com
                                                                                                            Roselière
                                                                            Marais de                                                   Observation points                                               www.leflamantrose.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   3
                                                                            Bourgogne
                                                                                                                                        Mas du Pont
                                                                                                                                                                          Manade Mailhan                 Logis de France, 8 double rooms             Mas du Grand Arbaud
                                                                                                                                        de Rousty                      Mas de Bernacles - 13200 Arles    Fish and local beef specialties         Gageron - 13200 Arles
                                                                                                        l
                                                                                                    Cana

                                  Vers Les Saintes-                                                                                     Camargue Park                   +33 (0)4 90 97 00 12                                                     +33 (0)4 90 97 02 17
                                  Maries-de-la-Mer
                                                                                                                                        boundary                       www.manademailhan.com                                                     www.topcamargue.com/
                                                                     RD

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 mas-grand-arbaud
                                                                       37

                                                                                                                                                                            Manade Saliérène
 CONTACT                                                                                                                                                               Saliers - 13123 Albaron
                                                                                                                                                                        +33 (0)4 66 87 45 57             ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
 Address : Mas du Pont de Rousty                                                             Phone : +33 (0)4 90 97 10 82                                              www.manadesalierene.com            E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
 Town : 13200 Arles                                                                          Email : info@parc-camargue.fr                                                                                Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
 GPS : Lat. 43.6245079 - Long. 4.8100102                                                     www.parc-camargue.fr
                                                                                                                                                                                             + info       Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     11
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
5          Pont de Gau bird sanctuary                                                                                      > Fauna and flora found here

The « Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau » is situated 4 km north of the seaside town of                                                                     BIRDS
« Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer » and offers 60 hectares of nature reserve dedicated to the fauna
and flora of the Camargue. 7 km of nature trails and observation points cross different habitats,                                                            • All year round :
such as lakes, reedbeds and salt marshes. Many types of sedentary and migratory birds can be seen                                                            Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron,
                                                                                                                                                             Cattle Egret, Little Egret,
here. The sanctuary is also home to a wild animal care centre that nurses around 500 injured
                                                                                                                                                             Night Heron, Bearded Tit                                        Grey Heron
birds each year.
                                                                                                                                                             • During the summer :
Open all year round from 9:00 am (April - Sept) or 10:00 am (Oct - March) until sunset.                                                                      Little Terns, Mediterranean Gull,       FAUNA
Cafe open for drinks and snacks from April - Sept.                                                                                                           Slender-billed Gull, Pied Avocet,
Entrance : Adults 7,5€, Children 5€.                                                                                                                         Hoopoe, Bee-eater                      Montpellier Snake, Aesculapian
                                                                                                                                                             • During the winter :                  Snake, Grass Snake, Ladder Snake,
                                                                                                                                                             ducks (Shoveler, Gadwall,              Dragonflies, Pond Turtle…
                                                                                                                                                             Widgeon), Peregrine Falcon,
                    D3
                      8a                                                                         Key                                                         Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier,            FLORA
                                      Manade                  Vers Arles
                                                                                                                                                             Hen Harrier
     NORD                             Cavallini                                                        Restaurant/food
                                                                                                                                                             • During migration periods :           9 species of orchid are found
                                                                                                       Accommodation
                            D3

                                                                                                                                                             Waders, Greenshank, Wood               on site, including (O.fragrans),
                              8

              Pet                                                                                      Cattle farm                                           Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper,
                 it R                                                                                                                                                                               Sea Lavender…
                     hô
                       ne                                                                              Horse-riding                                          Ruff, Curlew, plovers, Caspian,
                                                                               Étang
                                                      2                       de Ginès                 Accessible by foot                                    Tern, Black and White Stork
 Vers Sylvéréal
                                                  Accueil                                              Trails
                                                                                                       Observation points   > In the surrounding area
            Bac du Sauvage            1                                                                Pont de Gau
                                                                                                       bird sanctuary
                                  Mas Farola          D85                                                                   ACTIVITIES                       FOOD                                    ACCOMMODATION

                                                                                                                                                              1                                      1
                                                                                                                               Manade Cavallini                  Cookery course                         Gite Mas Farola
                                                              D5

                                                                                                                       5a

                                                                                                                            Mas de Pioch - RD 570            with Roger Merlin                      Route du Bac du Sauvage
                                                                70

                                                                                                                     D8

                                                                      Vers Les Saintes-                                     13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer   Mas des Colverts                       13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
                                                                      Maries-de-la-Mer                                       +33 (0)4 90 75 00 06           13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer          +33 (0)6 20 68 14 07
                                                                                                                            www.masdepioch.com                +33 (0)4 90 97 83 73                 www.masfarola.camargue.fr
                                                          2                                                                                                  www.cuisineprovence.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                      2
                                                        Mas de
                                                                                                                                Auberge Cavalière                                                      Hôtel 3*
                                                                                                                                                              2
                                                    la Grenouillère                                                         du Pont des Bannes                   L’Hostellerie Pont de Gau          Mas de la Grenouillère
                                                                                          1   Mas des Colverts              Route d’Arles - RD 570           Route d’Arles                          Chemin Haut des Launes
                                                                        Étang                                               13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer   13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer         13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
                                                                      des Launes              Pont des Bannes
                                                                                                                             +33 (0)6 63 65 26 08            +33 (0)4 90 97 81 53                  +33 (0)4 90 97 90 22
                                                                                                                            www.aubergecavaliere.com         www.hotelpontdegau.com                 www.hotel-la-grenouillere.fr
 CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                              SAINTES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER TOURIST INFORMATION
 Address : Route d’Arles                                                   Phone : +33 (0)4 90 97 82 62
                                                                                                                                                              E-mail : info@saintesmaries.com / Website : www.saintesmaries.com
 Town : 13460 Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer                                 Email : frederic@parcornithologique.com                                            5 avenue Van Gogh - 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
 GPS : Lat. 43.4891318 - Long. 4.4038581                                   www.parcornithologique.com
                                                                                                                                                 + info        +33 (0)4 90 97 82 55

12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
6           Draille des 5 gorges
   7           Digue à la Mer                                                                                                                                             > Birds that can be seen here

Draille des 5 gorges                                                                                  Digue à la mer                                                                                       DIGUE À LA MER

This driveway borders the Imperial lakes or                                                           This sea embankment stretches from Saintes-                                                          • All year round :                             Guépier d’Europe
« étangs » Malagroy and Vaccarès and presents                                                         Maries-de-la-Mer to Salin-de-Giraud and crosses                                                      Greater Flamingo, Shelduck,                                       Spoonbill
various typical Camargue landscapes within                                                            the southern sector of the Camargue Nature                                                           Spoonbill, Avocet, Curlew,
a relatively short distance. Many species of                                                          Reserve. It offers 20 km of foot and cycle paths                                                     Redshank, Mediterranean Gull,

                                                                                                                                                                          © Marais du Vigueirat
ducks and waders can be observed here.                                                                from which you can discover the wild open                                                            Kentish Plover, Dartford Warbler,       DRAILLE DES 5 GORGES
The track crosses a number of agricultural                                                            spaces of the lagoons and saltmarshes. The                                                           Crested Lark
developments typical of the Camargue, such as                                                         track across the embankment is open throughout                                                       • During the summer :                  • All year round :
rice fields and wide open horse and cattle                                                            the year. It is strictly forbidden to leave the track                                                Little Tern, Oystercatcher,            Pink Flamingo, Great Egret
farms. Free access and open all year round.                                                           and venture onto the dunes, even on foot.                                                            Tawny Pipit, Yellow Wagtail
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • During the summer : Kentish
                                                                                                                                                                                                           • During the winter :                  Plover, Black-tailed Godwit,
GPS coordinates for the car park on the Cacharel                                                      GPS coordinates for the car-park at Saintes-Maries :
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Dunlin, Little Stint, Sanderling       Bar-tailed Godwit, Spoonbill,
road : Lat. 43.4852274 - Long.4.4453371                                                               Lat. 43.4567338 - Long. 4.445432
                                                                                                                                                                                                           • During migration periods :           Eurasian Stone-curlew
GPS coordinates for the car park at the Domaine de                                                    GPS coordinates for the car-park at Etang du                                                         Passerines, Caspian Tern,              • During the winter :
Méjanes : Lat. 43.5707716 - Long. 4.5064601                                                           Fangassier : Lat. 43.4076627 - Long. 4.5981305                                                       Whimbrel

                                                                                                                                                                          © Marais du Vigueirat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Red-crested Pochard, Greylag
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Goose, Greater Spotted Eagle,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Booted Eagle
                                                            Paty de                                                                                                                                                                               • During migration periods :
                                                            la Trinité                                                           Key
                                                                                         D3                                                                                                                                                       Stints, sandpipers
                                                                                           7
                                                                                                                                       Restaurant/food
                        Vers Arles                                                  Domaine de Méjanes        Vers Villeneuve
   NORD                                        Bergerie                                                                                Accommodation
               1
     Château
                                               d’Alivon
                                                                                                                                       Accessible by bike
                                                                                                                                                                          > In the surrounding area
   d’Avignon
                                                                            Mazet du Vaccarès                                          Cattle farm
                                                                                                      Étang de Vaccarès
                                                                                                                                       Horse-riding                        ACTIVITIES                      FOOD                                    ACCOMMODATION
                 Manade
               Saint Antoine                                                                          Réserve naturelle                Boat trips                                                            1                                     1
                                                                       es                                                                                                    Manade Saint-Antoine               À fleur de sel                        Mas des Grandes
                                                                    org                            nationale de Camargue               Accessible by foot
     Pioch Badet                                              s   5G                                                                                                       +33 (0)6 10 66 02 12           43 avenue Frédéric Mistral             Cabanes du Vaccarès
                                                            de
                                                     ille                          Presqu’île                                          Trails                             www.manadesaintantoine.com       13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer         Route Départementale 570
                                                  Dra                             des Mornes
                   D8

                                                                                                                                       Observation points                                                   +33 (0)4 90 97 83 42                 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
                     5a

                                                                            Étang du                                                                                         Bergerie d’Alivon             www.camargue-                           +33 (0)6 03 67 72 80
                        R

                                              Pont des
                         out

                                                                            Malagroy                                                   Camargue Park boundary
                            ed

                    2                         5 Gorges                                                                                                                     +33 (0)6 03 54 10 94           restaurantafleurdesel.com              www.masdesgrandescabanes.com
                              eC
                                ach

                                                                                                                                                                          www.bergeriealivon.com
                                   are
                                      l

                                                                                                                                                                                                            2
                                                                                                                                                                                                               La Casa Romana                      2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Hôtel 3* Mas de Calabrun
                                                   Étang de                                                                                                                     Domaine de Méjanes         6 rue Joseph Roumanille                Route de Cacharel
                                                                                                                                                     D36b

                                                   l’Impérial
                                                                                                                                                                           +33 (0)4 90 97 10 10           13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
               D5

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
                 70

                                                                                                                                                                          www.mejanes-camargue.fr           +33 (0)4 90 97 83 33
        ône

                                                                                      à la   mer                                                                                                                                                   +33 (0)4 90 97 82 21
                                                                                Digue
    t Rh

                                                                                                                                                            Vers Salin-                                                                           www.mas-de-calabrun.fr
Peti

                                                   Pont de                                                                                                  de-Giraud
                                                   Rousty                                                                                                                    Boat trips le Tiki III
                                                                                       Ancien poste          Phare de
                                                                                        douanier            la Gachole
                                                                                                                                                                           +33 (0)4 90 97 81 68            SAINTES-MARIES-DE-LA-MER TOURIST INFORMATION
                                 1        2                                                                                                                               www.tiki3.fr                      E-mail : info@saintesmaries.com / Website : www.saintesmaries.com
      LES SAINTES-MARIES-                                                              Mer Méditerranée                         Observatoire                                                                5 avenue Van Gogh - 13460 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
           DE-LA-MER                                                                                                              flamant
                                                                                                                                                                                                  + info     +33 (0)4 90 97 82 55

14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       15
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
8       Étang du Fangassier
 9       Pointe de Beauduc                                                                                                                > Birds that can be seen here

The Fangassier lagoon and the coastline of Beauduc make up part of the vast stretch                                                                                        ÉTANG DU FANGASSIER
of 6 500 hectares of the ancient Camargue salt works and lagoons that now belong to the
coastal protection agency the « Conservatoire du Littoral ». A large number of species typically                                                                           • All year round :
found along the Mediterranean coast can be found here.                                                                                                                     Greater Flamingo, Avocet,
                                                                                                                                                                           Kentish Plover                                           Greater Flamingo

You can visit « L’étang du Fangassier »                              Unique to the site at « La pointe de Beauduc »                                                        • During the summer :
all year round, with or without a professional                       is a system of dunes and an exceptional vegetation                                                    Little Tern, Black-winged Stilt,         POINTE DE BEAUDUC
guide. From April to September, a special guided                     pattern that are found nowhere else in the Rhone                                                      Slender-billed Gull,
visit is available to discover the unique colony of                  valley. The site is open and free to access all year round.                                           Yellow Wagtail                          • All year round :
approximately 10 000 breeding couples of Pink                        Take care : the 10 km track to access the site is poorly                                              • During the winter :                   Greater Flamingo, Dunlin,
Flamingo.                                                            maintained and is limited to vehicles < 2 m wide.                                                     Grey Plover, Golden Plover,             Little Stint, Sanderling
                                                                                                                                                                           Sandpiper, Dunlin, Little Stint,        • During the summer :
GPS coordinates for the car-park at the « étang du                   GPS pointe de Beauduc :                                                                               Curlew, Hen Harrier,                    Sandwich Tern, Little Tern,
Fangassier » : Lat. 43.4076627 - Long. 4.5981305                     Lat. 43.4076627 - Long.4.5981305                                                                      Short-eared Owl                         Common Tern, Redshank
GPS coordinates for the Mas Saint-Bertrand                                                                                                                                 • During migration periods :            • During the winter :
(guided tours) : Lat. 43.4489629 - Long. 4.660796                                                                                                                          Curlew, godwits, plovers,               Eider Duck, Black-throated Loon,
                                                                                                                                                                           redshanks                               Oystercatcher, Widgeon, sea-birds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   • During migration periods :
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   waders, Curlew, Whimbrel,
                                                                    Mas                                                                                                                                            birds of prey, passerines
                                                                                                    Vers Arles        NORD
                                                               Saint-Bertrand
                     Phare de
                     la Gachole                                      1                                                                    > In the surrounding area

                                                                                                                                  E
                                                                                                                               HÔN
     Vers Les               Dig
                               ue
 Saintes-Maries-                  à    la m     Observatoire
    de-la-Mer                                                                                                                DR
                                           er   du Flamant
                                                                                                                          RAN

                                                                                                                                          ACTIVITIES                       FOOD                                     ACCOMODATION
                                                                                                           D36

                              Étang
                                                                                                                      LE G

                           de Galabert                                                 D3
                                                                                         6C                                                                                 1                                       1
                                                   Étang
                                                                                                             Vers Port St Louis           A guided tour of « étang             Les Saladelles                         Mas Saint-Bertrand
                    Pla

                                                                                                                 du Rhône
                                                    du                                                                                    du Fangassier »                  4 rue des Arènes                        13129 Salin-de-Giraud
                       ge

                                                 Fangassier              La Bélugue                                                       Bureau des Guides Naturalistes   13129 Salin-de-Giraud                    +33 (0)4 42 48 80 69
                          de B

                                                                                                      Mas
                                                                                                    Cameroun                               +33 (0)6 95 90 70 48            +33 (0)4 42 86 83 87                  www.mas-saint-bertrand.com
                              eaud

        Mer                                                              Tourvieille                                      Salin de
                                                                                                                          Giraud           +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77           www.hotel-salin-beauduc.fr
                                  uc

     Méditerranée                                                                                                                                                                                                    2
                                                   Étang du                                                                               www.guide-nature.fr                                                          Un nid en Camargue
                                                Grand Rascaillon                                                      2     1         2   From April to Sept.               2
                                                                                                                                                                               La Camargue                         15 rue de la Victoire
                                                                                               Faraman
                                                                                                                                          Advance booking only             58 boulevard de la Camargue             13129 Salin-de-Giraud
                                                                            e
                                                                          ôn
                                                                        Rh

                                                                                                                                                                           13129 Salin-de-Giraud                    +33 (0)9 73 16 04 68
                                                                     ux

                                                                            Key                                                                Bike rides                   +33 (0)4 42 86 88 52                  www.gdf13.com
                                                                  Vie

               Pointe de                                                         Restaurant/food             Trails                       www.parc-camargue.fr/
              Beauduc ou                            Étang                        Accommodation               Observation points           itineraires.html
               de Sablon                              du                              Étang
                                                                                    du Faraman
                                                                                 Accessible by foot          Zone reserved
                                                   Vaisseau                                                  for aquatic sports
                             Phare de                                            Accessible by bike          Zone reserved                                                  ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
                             Beauduc                                                                         for swimming                                                   E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
                                                                                       Fence                 Natural Reserve                                                Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
                                                                                                                                                                + info
                                                                                                             (no vehicles allowed)
                                                                                                                                                                            Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     17
Where to watch birds - Parcs naturels régionaux
10         Domaine de la Palissade                                                                                          > Fauna and flora found here

Property of the « Conservatoire du Littoral » coastal protection agency, the Palissade estate                                                                  BIRDS
reaches over 702 hectares on the south-eastern territory of the Camargue, on the estuary of the Grand                                                                                                            Osprey
Rhone. The estate works actively to promote environmental protection and education. From here is a great                                                       • All year round :
place to visit the last remaining natural space in the Camargue that hasn’t been the subject of embankment                                                     Greater Flamingo, Kentish Plover,
                                                                                                                                                               Redshank, Bearded Tit, Gadwall,
work. Choose between three trails of 1 km, 5 km or 8 km from which you can discover, with
                                                                                                                                                               Mallard, Red-crested Pochard             FAUNA
or without a professional guide, an archetypal Camargue landscape full of many types of wildlife.
                                                                                                                                                               • During the summer :
Open every day from 09:00 - 17:00 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays from mid-November to February)                                                               Slender-billed Gull, Common Tern,       Eurasion Beaver, Common Genet,
Closed 11/11, 25/12, 01/01 and 01/05.                                                                                                                          Black-winged Stilt, Spectacled          Alosa Agone, butterflies (Southern
Entrance : Adults 3€ (Children go free).                                                                                                                       Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Black Kite        Festoon, Painted Lady, pieridaes…)
Advance booking necessary for guided tours.
                                                                                                                                                               • During the winter :
                                                                                                                                                               Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon, Pintail,         FLORA
                                                                                                                                                               Greylag Goose

                                     Vers Salin-de-Giraud                         Vers Port Saint Louis du Rhône                                               • During migration periods :            Iris Maritime, Sandcarrot,
                          NORD
                                                                                                                                                               Osprey, Marsh Tern, passerines,         Serapias parviflora…
                                              1     2                                                                                                          waders (sandpipers, curlew…)
                                                                                              Rou
                                              1     2                                            te d
                                                                                                     e   Nap
                                                                                                            oléo
                                                                                                                n
                                                                           Accueil
                                                                                                     LE
                                          Les Salins du Midi
                                                                                                        GR
                                                                       n
                                                                     so
                                                                   an

                                                                                                                            > In the surrounding area
                                                                                                          AN
                                                                iém

                                                                                                            D
                                                              eP

                                                                                                                    RH
                                                            ed

     Key
                                                          ut

                                                                                                                      ÔN
                                                        Ro

                                                                                     Baisse
                                                        -

                                                                                                                            ACTIVITIES                         FOOD                                     ACCOMMODATION
                                                                                                                        E
                                                     6d

           Restaurant/food                                                           Claire
                                                   D3

                                                                           They
           Accommodation                                                                                                        Horse riding                    1
                                                                                                                                                                   Les Saladelles                       1
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Un nid en Camargue
                                                                                             La
           Accessible by bike                                       de Béricles           Sableuse                          Domaine de la Palissade            4 rue des Arènes                        15 rue de la Victoire
           Horse-riding                                               et de                                                 13129 Salin-de-Giraud              13129 Salin-de-Giraud                   13129 Salin-de-Giraud
                                                                   la Palissade                                              +33 (0)6 87 84 33 72              +33 (0)4 42 86 83 87                   +33 (0)9 73 16 04 68
           Accessible by foot
                                                                                                                            www.cheval-camargue-palissade.fr   www.hotel-salin-beauduc.fr              www.gdf13.com
           Trails                                                                                                           From April to October
                                                                                                                                                                2                                        2
           Observation points                                                                                                                                      La Camargue                             La Cabane de Salin
                                                  Plag                                                                           Bike rides                    58 boulevard de la Camargue             6 rue d’Arles
           Domaine de la Palissade                    e de
                                                           Piém                                                             www.parc-camargue.fr/              13129 Salin-de-Giraud                   13129 Salin-de-Giraud
           Camargue Park boundary             Mer              anso                                                         itineraires.html                    +33 (0)4 42 86 88 52                   +33 (0)4 42 86 82 10
                                           Méditerranée            n                                                                                                                                   www.cabanedesalin.fr
                                                                                                                                Piémanson beach
 CONTACT
                                                                                                                                                                ARLES TOURIST INFORMATION
 Address : Domaine de la Palissade                              Phone : +33 (0)4 42 86 81 28
                                                                                                                                                                E-mail : ot-arles@visitprovence.com / Website : www.arlestourisme.com
 Town : 13129 Salin-de-Giraud                                   Email : palissade@parc-camargue.fr                                                              Arles office : Boulevard des Lices /  +33 (0)4 90 18 41 20
 GPS : Lat. 43.376238 - Long. 4.8100102                         www.palissade.fr
                                                                                                                                                 + info         Salin-de-Giraud office : Rue Tournaire /  +33 (0)4 42 86 89 77

18                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      19
11        They du Mazet                                                                                             > Fauna and flora found here

Situated on the south side of the town Port Saint Louis du Rhône, the « They du Mazet » was acquired                                                   BIRDS
by the « Conservatoire du Littoral » coastal protection agency in 1980 and consists of a dune
formation sculpted by the actions of the river and sea. An integral part of the Camargue delta, this zone                                              • All year round :
is a feeding, resting and breeding ground for many types of birds. During high waters, the area                                                        Greater Flamingo, Great Crested                                   Redshank
                                                                                                                                                       Grebe, Mute Swan, Little Egret,
becomes flooded by seawater, giving rise to a saline soil and a unique and abundant vegetation pattern.
                                                                                                                                                       Grey Heron
A purpose-built track with information panels is open and free to access all year round,                                                               • During the summer :
(outside of rainy conditions).                                                                                                                         Redshank, Kentish Plover,                 FAUNA
                                                                                                                                                       Little Tern, Oystercatcher,
                                                                                                                                                       Gadwall                                  3 species of reptiles (snakes and
                                                                                                                                                       • During the winter :                    lizards), 3 species of amphibians,
                                                                                                                                                       Hoopoe, Teal, Shoveler Duck              dragonflies…
                                                                                                                                                       • During migration periods :
                     1                         2                                                                                                       Caspian Tern, Red Kite,                   FLORA
                                RD
                                  35

                      Vers bac                                                                                                                         Bee-eater, Green Sandpiper
                     du Barcarin           PORT ST LOUIS DU RHÔNE                        Plage de             NORD
                                                                                          Carteau                                                                                               Sea lavender, salicornia, Marsh
     Vers Salin-de-Giraud                                            Port Navy                                                                                                                  Daisy, Limonium girardianum,
                                2                                     Service               Anse de Carteau                                                                                     Dwarf Eelgrass, Seawrack,
                                    D3                                                      (conchyliculture)                                                                                   Mediterranean grasses…
                                      6d           1
                                                                             Conserverie
                                                                             Ferrigno
                                                         Port Napoléon

                                                                                                                     > In the surrounding area
                                                                            Rou
                                                                               te d
                                                                                   e   Nap
     Légende                                                                              oléo                       ACTIVITIES                        FOOD                                     ACCOMMODATION
                                                                                              n
          Restaurant, snack
                                                                                                                                                         1                                       1
                                                                                                                         Bike hire                         Joaline coquillages                     Mas du Grand Peloux
                                                           LE GRAND RHÔNE

          Hébergement
                                            Domaine                            They                                  Capitainerie du Port              Avenue de la première Division           Chemin Départemental 35
          Accessible en vélo                 de la                              de                                   13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône   Française Libre                          13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône
          Accessible à pied                 Palissade                         Roustan                                 +33 (0)4 42 86 39 11            13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône           +33 (0)4 42 86 26 04
                                                                                                                                                        +33 (0)4 42 86 01 90                   www.grandpeloux.fr
          Sentiers
                                                                                                                          For a guided tour of         www.joalinecoquillages.fr
          Point d’observation                                                                                                                                                                    2
                                                                                                                     the Saint-Louis Tower                                                          Meublé Lou Cigalou
                                                                                                       n
                                                                                                    léo

                                                                                                                                                        2
                                                                                                                     (18th Century)                        Joséphine                            51 rue Crémieux
                                                                                                  po

          They du Mazet                                                                                 Mer
                                                                                                Na

                                                                                                                     Quai Bonnardel                    Presqu’île le Mazet                      13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône
                                                                                             ge

                                                                                                     Méditerranée
                                                                                          Pla

          Limite Parc de Camargue                                                                                    13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône   13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône           +33 (0)6 08 58 82 70
                                                                                                                      +33 (0)4 42 86 01 21             +33 (0)4 42 48 84 60                   www.loucigalou.info

 CONTACT                                                                                                                 Napoleon beach
                                                                                                                                                        PORT SAINT LOUIS DU RHÔNE TOURIST INFORMATION
 Address : Route Napoléon                               Phone : +33 (0)4 90 98 70 91
                                                                                                                                                        E-mail : contact@portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr /  +33 0(4) 42 86 01 21
 Town : 13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône                 www.conservatoire-du-littoral.fr/siteLittoral/ 170/28-
                                                                                                                                                        Website : www.portsaintlouis-tourisme.fr
 GPS : Lat. 43.370750 - Long. 4.845981                  theys-du-mazet-et-du- levant-13_bouches-du-rhone.htm
                                                                                                                                          + info        Tour Saint-Louis - Quai Bonnardel - 13230 Port Saint Louis du Rhône

20                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   21
Park advice
                                                                                                                  ADVICE…                                                                           EMERGENCY NUMBER

This booklet has provided the opportunity to showcase the work of environmental managers,                         You are in a Regional Nature Park
farmers, restaurant owners and people working in the tourist industry that have committed to high                                                                                                    SOS
quality standards and sustainable development via the following labels :                                          • Park only in designated areas and don’t leave                                                    112                        04 91 75 25 25
                                                                                                                    anything valuable in your vehicle                                              European emergency                    Anti-poison clinic
                                                                                                                                                                                                   number                                in Marseille
           The label « Camargue Regional                                                                          • Don’t forget to carry a bottle of drinking water
           Nature Park » is given to produce and                                                                    at all times
           services that are specific to the region.
                                                                                                                  • Don’t forget your sun cream and insect repellent
                                                                                                                                                                                                               15                                    18
           Holders of this label must build their                                                                                                                                                  Ambulance                             Fire Brigade
business on a human scale, upkeep local traditions            The « Marais du Vigueirat », the « Camargue »,
                                                              the « Mas du Pont de Rousty », the « étang du       • Stay on the path, do not enter onto private property
and value and preserve the environment in which they
                                                                                                                    and don’t climb over any fences
work in conjunction with solid local connections.             Fangassier », the « Beauduc », the « Domaine
                                                              de la Palissade » and the « They du Mazet »
                                                                                                                                                                                                               17                                    3250
                                                              are all natural spaces that belong to the           • Do respect animals and keep the noise down                                     Police                                Weather
              The European Charter for Sustai-
                                                              « Conservatoire du Littoral », a government
              nable Tourism in protected areas                                                                    • Don’t leave anything behind, especially rubbish
                                                              agency that pursues a policy of the acquisition
              aims to assure that tourism within              of coastal land in order to preserve a biological
protected spaces throughout Europe contributes to                                                                 • Nature is at its best early in the morning
                                                              heritage, landscape and identity and make             or late in the afternoon
a balanced economic, social and environmental                 it accessible to everyone. In the Camargue,
development. Tourist operators that sign up to this           25 000 hectares fall under its protection.          • Avoid going out before 9:30 am during the hunting
charter promote responsible and sustainable tourism.
                                                                                                                    season (mid-September - mid-January)

              Le « Conservatoire Grand Sud des                                                                    • Check the weather forecast before leaving the house
              Cuisines » is an association between                                                                  and avoid going out in high wind
              professional chefs and local producers
              with the aim of promoting Mediterranean
culinary heritage. The prerequisite of this label is the
utilisation of fresh, authentic, seasonal produce and the
                                                                                                                  This project has been brought to you with the help of funding from Europe and the region of
valorisation of its regional identity and taste, as well
                                                                                                                  Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and with the technical support from our partners :
as its nutritional aspects.

+ info
Birdwatching with                                           Works by Cyril Girard
a specialist guide                                          The illustrated guide to birds of the Camargue
Bureau des Guides Naturalistes                              and the Mediterranean lagoons
 +33 (0)6 95 90 70 48                                      Ed. Marais du Vigueirat, 2014
contact@guide-nature.fr - www.guide-nature.fr               Available in french and english

Scientific and naturalist database                          Works by M. Gauthier-Clerc et Y. Kayser
• Gateway to the collaboration on regional                  Observez les oiseaux en Camargue
                                                                                                                  • December 2014 • Coordination : Capucine Ser - Camargue Regional Nature Park • Picture : Tour du Valat (P1, 7) - Marais du Vigueirat (P5)
  biodiversity : www.faune-paca.org                         « Birdwatching in the Camargue »                        Société nationale de protection de la nature (P9) - Parc naturel régional de Camargue (P11, 13, 15, 17, 23) - Parc ornithologique du Pont de Gau (P13)
• Database of the « Tour du Valat » :                       Ed. Delachaux et Niestlé, Tour du Valat, 2012           J. E. Roché / PNRC (P15) - Bureau des Guides Naturalistes (P17, 22) - E. Vialet / PNRC (P19) - OT Port Saint Louis du Rhône (P21)
  www.obsnature-camargue.net                                Available in french only                              • Drawing : Cyril Girard • Graphic design : Séverine Bourdeaux • Maps : Jean-Louis Escaguel • Translation : Jeannette Freynet
                                                                                                                  • Printing : Pure Impression • Printed using vegetable-based ink and certified chlorine-free white paper sourced from sustainable forests
22                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           23
Caps et
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Marais d'Opale
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Lille

          The Camargue
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Scarpe-Escaut

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Avesnois
                                                                                                                                                                                 Boucles                               Amiens                            Ardennes
                                                                                                                                                                                de la Seine
                                                                                                                                                                                Normande
                                                                                                                                                            Marais                                                      Oise-Pays

          Regional Nature Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Rouen
                                                                                                                                                         du Cotentin                                                    de France                        Reims                       Metz
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Vexin
                                                                                                                                                         et du Bessin           Caen
                                                                                                                                                                                                        français                           Montagne                                         Vosges du Nord
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Paris              de Reims                  Lorraine
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Haute-Vallée                                                                                Strasbourg
                                                                                                                                                             Normandie-Maine                           de Chevreuse
                                                                                                                                 Armorique                                                    Perche
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Gâtinais                     Forêt d'Orient
                                                                                                                                                             Rennes                                                     français
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Ballons des Vosges
                                                                                                                                                                                                             Orléans
                                                                                                                                                Brière
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Besançon
                                                                                                                                                                            Loire-

LIST OF PARKS THAT HAVE PUBLISHED A BOOKLET
                                                                                                                                                         Nantes                                                                                Morvan
                                                                                                                                                                        Anjou-Touraine
                                                                                                            Fort-de-France                                                                                                                                           Dijon

                                                                                                                                                                                              Brenne

OF THIS KIND « WHERE TO WATCH BIRDS »                                                                                                                                              Poitiers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Haut-Jura

                                                                                                            Martinique                                                                                                                                                             Massif
                                                                                                                                                                                                          Millevaches                   Clermont
                                                                                                                                                                                                          en Limousin                   -Ferrand                    Lyon         des Bauges
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Limoges
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Livradois

• The Brière Regional Nature Park                                                                                                                                               Périgord-Limousin
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Volcans
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        d'Auvergne
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                -Forez
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Pilat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Chartreuse

  www.parc-naturel-briere.fr                                                                                                 Cayenne                                    Bordeaux
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Causses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Monts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Vercors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Queyras
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      d'Ardèche
                                                                                                                                                                  Landes de                       du Quercy
• The Brenne Regional Nature Park                                                                                                                                 Gascogne

                                                                                                       SURINAME         GUYANE                                                                                          Grands Causses                                     Luberon           Préalpes
  www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Verdon d’Azur

                                                                (Echelle des DOM non représentative)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Alpilles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Montpellier
                                                                                                                                       BRÉSIL                                                     Toulouse
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Haut-Languedoc                                Camargue

• The Forêt d’Orient Regional Nature Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Marseille

                                                                                                                                                                                      Pyrénées                          Narbonnaise
                                                                                                                                                                                     Ariégeoises                       en Méditerranée
                                                                                                             Guyane française
  www.pnr-foret-orient.fr                                                                                                                                                                                          Pyrénées
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Catalanes

• The Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park                                                                                                                             ESPAGNE
                                                                                                           Parks that have published a booklet entitled                                                                                                                                           Corse

  www.parc-haut-languedoc.fr                                                                               « Where to watch birds in a Regional Natural Park »                                                                                                                                    Ajaccio

• The Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park
  www.parc-loire-anjou-touraine.fr
• The Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin Regional                                                                                                     Camargue Regional Nature Park
  Nature Park www.parc-cotentin-bessin.fr                                                                                                          Mas du Pont de Rousty - 13200 Arles
• The Narbonnaise Regional Nature Park                                                                                                              +33 (0)4 90 97 10 40
  www.parc-naturel-narbonnaise.fr
                                                                                                                                                   E-mail : secretariat@parc-camargue.fr
• The Perche Regional Nature Park                                                                                                                  www.parc-camargue.fr
  www.parc-naturel-perche.fr
                                                                                                                       www.facebook.com/parcnaturelregionaldecamargue

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ISBN : 2-906632-53-8 / Dépôt légal : 4e trimestre 2014
HOW TO GET TO THE CAMARGUE

The Camargue Regional Nature Park is situated on the Mediterranean                                                                                                                                                              ORANGE

coast, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in the south of France.                                                                                                                        A9                                       AVIGNON
Close to the town of Arles, the park is 45 km south of Avignon,                                                                                                                    NÎMES                                                 A7

75 km east of Montpellier and 80 km west of Marseille.                                                                                                                     25                                Parc naturel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 régional
                                                                                                                                                                                                              des Alpilles                               SALON-DE-
                                                                                                                                                                                                      ARLES                                              PROVENCE
                                                                                                                                        MONTPELLIER
                                                                                                                                                                                                            A54
BY CAR www.viamichelin.co.uk/                                                                                                                                                                             >
                                                                                                                                                                                                            M
                                                                                                                                                                                                              AR
Motorways, direction ARLES
                                                                                                                                                                                         Parc naturel
                                                                                                                                                                                             régional            S                          EI
                                                                                                                                                                                       de Camargue                                             LL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    E
• A6 & A7 : Paris - Lyon - Orange - Avignon - Marseille (Rhone Valley)
                                                                                                                                                MER MÉDITERRANÉE
• A9 : Orange - Nîmes - Montpellier - Narbonne - Barcelone (Spain)
• A54 : Nîmes - Salon-de-Provence

BY TRAIN www.voyages-sncf.co.uk
Arles train station : trains direct from the Gare de Lyon station in Paris,
and from regional networks coming from Bordeaux - Carcassonne - Toulouse,
Nice - Montpellier - Marseille, Avignon and Nîmes…
Cycle compartments are available on some trains.

BY PLANE
• Nîmes airport (20 km) : destination London and Liverpool
• Marseille airport (70 km) : destination London, Edinburgh, Dublin
• Montpellier airport (70 km) : destination London, Edinburgh, Dublin
• Beziers airport (150 km) : destination London, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh
• Carcassonne airport (230 km) : destination London, Liverpool, Bournemouth,
  East Midlands, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork
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