Saint-Gilles, treasure of the Camargue heritage
Before embarking on the itinerary, make a stop at the Tourist Office, place Frédéric Mistral, to discover all the activities and sites to visit in the city. A pleasant circuit which, from the old "Porte des Maréchaux", will take you through the narrow streets of the medieval town. Don't miss the Museum of the Romanesque House, a cultural and historical site devoted to archaeology, ethnography and ornithology in the region, but also and above all the exceptional Abbey of Saint-Gilles. This masterpiece of medieval art, with its richly sculpted portal on an open square, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Chemins de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle series in France. In addition to the abbey itself, the crypt considered to be the largest in France and housing the tomb of Saint-Gilles where pilgrims come to meditate, as well as the ruins of the old choir, you will also be able to discover the spiral staircase, a famous spiral staircase from the 12th century, a unique architectural work for its time. The Abbey is a high place of Christianity and an architectural wonder.
The campaign terminals
Take the rue Gambetta to the north and turn left into the rue du Stade, then follow the signs. You will go from vineyards to orchards, from grapes to apricots, Saint-Gilles being the leading national producer. Pay attention and you will notice the presence of square or rectangular stones underlining the paths on the edge of the farms. Recently installed, these carved stones mark out the landscape axis and refer to the old milestones of the Roman period; a period which marked the territory with many emblematic sites.
After turning left, cross a small wood. On the left of the path, observe the Domaine du Beauchêne: you will notice that one of its facades is covered with pebbles found on the ground and which come from the old bed of the Rhône. Typical of the Costières region, you will come across other buildings with this particularity along the route.The Bouvines traditions
At the end of a long walk, enter Générac. In the heart of the village, you will not be able to miss the "empègues": these small drawings made with stencils around the doors of the houses are carried out by the young people of the village, the "gangs", within the framework of the votive festivals of the countries of the Small Camargue, Costières and Vaunage, where the Camargue bullfighting traditions are very marked. These gangs of young people go from house to house: the inhabitant who gives a contribution (financial or material) sees the famous empègue placed near his door. The motifs evoke the emblematic themes of the Camargue: the Camargue cross, the trident, the razor's hook, the horse, the bull, the pink flamingo, or any other representation linked to the traditions of the Bouvines. The inhabitants are impregnated with these traditional heritages which are translated in particular by typical festivities such as abrivado, bandido, encierro and Camargue races. Throughout the year, these traditions immerse the towns of the Camargue in a special atmosphere, much appreciated by visitors!
Still in Générac, pass in front of the multimodal station from which it is possible to start this loop. Cross the whole of the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, where you will find the Immaculate Conception Church (completed in 1860 to the design of the diocesan architect Henri Révoil), food shops and the market every Friday morning. Then head towards the castle.Castle of Générac
Very probably the oldest known building in Générac, the castle, which was built in 1050, houses the Cooperage Museum in one of its rooms. The Temple room presents collections retracing the history of the cooper's trade through numerous tools. (visit possible with prior reservation).
On leaving Générac, after having travelled a few kilometres, you will find a picnic area away from the road, which is very useful for resting and refuelling. Your route continues with a long descent: a life-size opening to admire the exceptional panorama which is offered to the glance. The ponds of the Camargue are intertwined with the relief: admire the Mont Ventoux and on a clear day, the Alpilles massif."Vignobles & Découvertes Costières de Nîmes
Drive through the Camargue Gardoise where the wine road leads to the sea. The vineyards of the Costières de Nîmes are spread out on both sides of the paths you take. If you like good wines, this is the perfect opportunity for a tasting in one of the prestigious domains labelled "Vignobles & Découvertes Costières de Nîmes". The winegrowers will share with you their passion for their work, their know-how, and you will taste with delight the AOC Costières de Nîmes wines with nuances as rich and subtle as the soil where these vines grow.
Cross a bridge over the Bas-Rhône Languedoc canal, better known as the Philippe-Lamour canal. Built in the 1960s, this irrigation canal brings water from the Rhône to the southern part of the Gard department and the eastern part of the Hérault.The charm of the Petite Camargue
Further on, the route takes you past the Franquevaux bullring. This hamlet, nestled in the middle of the ponds and reed beds of the Petite Camargue, was created from the ruins of the old Cistercian abbey founded in 1143. It is off the beaten track that you will most appreciate discovering this area: on the paths through the meadows where the bulls and horses of the Camargue graze peacefully, in the marshes where the pink flamingos frolic, or even thanks to the interpretation trail that winds through the hamlet, highlighting the heritage history of the former abbey. A land of incredible diversity, the Petite Camargue offers unchanging riches that man has worked with skill. The village of Gallician, a natural stopover if ever there was one, is based on three main activities: wine-growing, fishing and "sagne", the traditional cutting of reeds used for fodder or to make the roofs of the gardians' huts. The sagne is also used to make the famous "paillassons Camarguais", shade for pergolas or mats for natural garden fences. Gallician is also, at the gates of Vauvert, a preserved stopover in the heart of the Camargue gardoise, at the foot of the Costières and their vineyards, with its pleasant little marina. Labelled as a "Accueil Vélo", the port of Gallician is the starting point for numerous cycle tourism loops, greenways and other trails labelled Gard Pleine Nature.
Scamandre Regional Nature Reserve
At Gallician, cross the bridge and take a straight line where you can admire the reed beds of the Charnier ponds on the right, and the Crey and Scamandre ponds on the left. This is a great vantage point to observe the endemic fauna and flora of these Mediterranean wetlands. Turn left and visit the Regional Nature Reserve of Scamandre. Known for its important birdlife, the reserve protects and enhances nearly 147 ha of meadows, sansouïres and marshes with a specific biodiversity. Trails and observation pontoons make this proximity to these unique natural environments accessible to all.
When you get back on the road, be careful because agricultural machinery frequently passes on these roads. Note that the shop "Aux délices du Scamandre", (selling organic products AOP Taureau de Camargue, chickpeas, IGP Camargue Rice), is located opposite the Tower of Bramasset, in the town of Saint-Gilles. This tower is not to be missed: an old windmill whose cogs operated both a millstone and a noria to irrigate the fields in summer and evacuate water in winter, is topped by a stork's nest which amazes walkers.The Castle of Espeyran
Leave the main road to take an ochre dirt road. Then head towards the Château d'Espeyran. This historical monument, labeled "Maison des Illustres", can be visited during the European Heritage Days. Former residence of the abbots of Saint-Gilles during the Middle Ages, the castle is set in a 13-hectare park planted with trees. Fully furnished, the castle has a prestigious collection of horse-drawn carriages classified as Historic Monuments. State-owned since 1964, the castle also houses the National Microfilm and Digitization Center, an original and specific place in the network of archives in France.
Take the stony path on your right, then cross the Argentière, you will pass near the park of the Gillienne Fountain where games for children and benches will be appreciated for a snack break!Saint-Gilles marina
Finish the loop by going to Saint-Gilles along the Canal du Rhône à Sète, an important communication axis for river cruises. In this context, the marina of Saint-Gilles is a very pleasant stopover in the heart of the Petite Camargue. Offering many services to boaters, it now has 89 berths. Find the heart of the city and its many services.
