In the heart of the Camargue traditions
Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze is a charming village located in the heart of the Camargue Gardoise, Grand Site de France. Like all the towns and villages of the Camargue, Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze is steeped in the traditions of the bullfighting industry: the votive festival, which lasts ten days, enlivens the streets and thrills the hearts of aficionados of bullfighting demonstrations. Abrivado, Camargue race, or bandido, are the guarantors of these Provencal traditions. In Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze, the bullring adjoins the church, like a daily blessing for the bulls that display their agility and strength during these festivals. During the Camargue races, the "cocardier" (the bull) faces the "raseteur" (the man) who, with a hook, tries to remove the attributes attached to the animal's horns. Once the strings, rosettes and acorns have been removed, they give the right to a reward. Strength, impetuosity, agility, brilliance, it is with emphasis that we describe... the cocardier! Yes, the bull is honoured for his deeds, and after a peaceful retreat to the manade, some bulls will be buried standing, head turned towards the sea, with a stele or a statue in their effigy. Traditions full of emotion that we invite you to discover during these famous performances.
From the village square, follow the direction "Les Prés" then turn towards the signposts "La Calade" "Grande Panisse", "Les Poissonniers". At "Muria", turn right to join "L'Agau Mort Supérieur" then left on "L'Agau Mort Inférieur ". Turn right to reach "La Pointe de Bordes" then "Pont de Chaberton". Here, turn left to reach "Les Prés" by the GR®42.
Continue towards "Gallician" following the GR® (white and red markings) until "Mas Tessier" passing by "Le Pont de Clapière" "Grand Bourry" and "Bas Coquillon".
At "Mas Tessier" get back to the cyclo-discovery loop by continuing across the road. Leave the GR®42, go to the right and turn right at the next intersection to join the "Hameau de Gallician". Continue to the right on "Port de plaisance Gallician".Canal du Rhône à Sète
Linking the Thau Lagoon near Sète to the Rhône at Beaucaire, the Rhône à Sète Canal is a link between the wetlands and the Costières. It is in a setting of reedbeds and wet meadows that the Rhône à Sète canal arrives at the Gallician marina. Welcoming boaters all year round, Gallician and its port are a choice natural stopover in an exceptional setting. With its 38 berths, 7 of which are reserved for stopovers, the marina has the "Accueil Vélo" label. Here, in the Petite Camargue, Gallician and its port are the ideal starting point to soak up the traditions and beauty of the Camargue landscapes. In fact, don't miss the opportunity to escape to the Regional Nature Reserve of Scamandre, just 5 km from the port.
Once in the port, continue on the Via Rhôna to the right towards "La Tour Carbonnière" passing by "La Laune" "Le Pont des Tourradons" from where the view on the canal of the Rhone to Sète opens on the generous nature and beyond until the Tower of Constance of Aigues-Mortes, "The Old Vistre" and "The Tourrades".An observatory classified as a historical monument
Located on the old road to Aigues-Mortes, the Tour Carbonnière rises in the middle of the marshes. This imposing square tower was built in the 13th century, at the same time as the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes, on the orders of King Louis IX. Considered as the defensive outpost of the famous Tower of Constance, a garrison was permanently posted there, ensuring the surveillance of the territory. Between the Rhône-Sète canal and the Vistre canal, the Tour Carbonnière is nowadays a fabulous observation post on the surrounding nature. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1903, you can access the terrace: from there, a 360° panorama gives you an idea of the exceptional biodiversity of the Camargue and the wealth of this protected environment. Take the time to observe the grey herons, the pink flamingos, the moorhens but also the coypu or even in the distance, the horses and the bulls of Camargue. From the Tour Carbonnière, return to Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze.
Remarkable Sites of Taste
If the bull is known for its exploits during the festivities linked to the Bouvines traditions, it is less known that the PDO Camargue bull meat is the first bovine meat to have obtained this label since 1996. PDO Camargue bull meat is a tasty and tender meat. This particular flavour is due to the conditions under which the herds are reared, grazing in semi-liberty in the natural environment of the Camargue. A diversified food and continuous movements which confer to the meat a very particular smoothness. From then on, it is because of this exceptional environment, bathed in culture and tradition that Saint-Laurent-d'Aigouze has obtained the label "Sites Remarquables du Goût" for its PDO Camargue bull meat. Thus, manadiers, producers, restaurant owners... are committed to discovering the richness of their territory, and bring to the visitors a better knowledge of the local culture and of the unique art of living of the Camargue Gardoise.
Go down the steps in portage to recover the GR®42 to the marker "Psalmody". Leave the white and red markers to reach your final destination via "Port Vieil", "Grande Panisse" and "La Calade".
