Landscapes
The Alpilles mountain range forms a natural barrier some 25 kilometers long, stretching from east to west in the north-west of the Bouches-du-Rhône département. Covering an area of 50,000 hectares, it is a low-lying limestone massif with astonishingly jagged peaks overlooking deep, mysterious ravines. This rugged landscape gradually transforms into a fertile, verdant plain to the south, planted mainly with vines and olive trees. South of the Alpilles, the Camargue covers 145,300 hectares, bathed to the west by the Rhône and to the east by the Durance. It is bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea. This landscape, whose highest peak is only four meters above sea level, is home to numerous wetlands and a unique, fragile ecosystem.
Plains
To the north and south of the Alpilles massif lie vast, fertile plains. Vines and olives have been grown here since ancient times. Vast areas are also reserved for sheep farming, such as the Roquemartine plain, home to the famous Alpilles lamb. Alas, urbanization is nibbling away at these wild spaces. If you go further south towards the Camargue plains, you enter a totally different landscape of marshes and wetlands. In a triangle bounded by Arles to the north, Le Grau-du-Roi and Fos-sur-Mer, lies a vast territory at the heart of the Rhône delta, shaped by the fresh waters of the Rhône and Durance rivers, which flow into the salty waters of the Mediterranean. This is the land of rice paddies, bulls and wild horses.
Caves
There are countless caves in the Alpilles massif. It has to be said that the elements have worked hard to provide safe shelters from ferocious beasts for the first humans to settle in the region. And as in Provence, everything is the stuff of legend, writers such as Frédéric Mistral have not hesitated to bring witches and fairies to life in these caves. But not all caves are natural. Some are the result of the quarrying of building stone. The Carrières de Lumières, for example, is an exceptional site, home to a digital art center offering incredible virtual exhibitions, with astonishing projections on the white walls.
Ponds
With more than twenty ponds, the Camargue clearly demonstrates its wetland status. These natural reservoirs are refuges for local wildlife.
However, two ponds are particularly important to the ecosystem:
Etang de Vaccarès
This is the largest pond in the Camargue. It covers 6,500 hectares and is located in the commune of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. Less than two meters deep and 12 kilometers long, it is the main water-regulating element in the Rhône Delta. It is also an important stopover for migratory birds.
Etang du Fangassier
Much smaller than its predecessor, this lake stretches for 3.3 km to the south of the Etang de Vaccarès. This is a unique site in France, where almost one hundred thousand pink flamingos gather to raise their young. Guided tours are available with the Bureau des Guides Naturalistes (BGN).
Marais
The Marais des Baux forms a link between the Alpilles and the Camargue. This area, classified as Natura 2000, extends to the south of the Alpilles Park, and has landscape, ecological and agricultural features that already foreshadow the neighboring territory. Dried out at the end of the 19thcentury , leading to a significant depletion of the local fauna, the ancient marshland sometimes comes back to life during heavy rains.
Littoral
The Camargue's coastline stretches for almost 70 kilometers. While all Camargue beaches are beautiful, some are a must-see.
Piémanson beach
This beautiful six-kilometer beach lies to the west of the Grand Rhône, accessible via the Salins de Giraud. It has no infrastructure, apart from a first-aid post and a few street vendors in summer. One part is reserved for naturists. The landscape is timeless, with dunes bristling with coastal plants as far as the eye can see.
Beauduc beach
Reaching this immense sandy beach, totally isolated from the rest of the world, is well worth the effort. You'll have to follow a rocky path for almost ten kilometers before reaching this little paradise. Beware: a gauge regulator prevents wide vehicles (over 2.10 m) from passing. Other prohibitions are in force, notably concerning 4x4s.
Espiguette beach
This beach is particularly popular with tourists and locals alike. Located in the commune of Grau-du-Roi, it stretches for some ten kilometers, with dunes as far as the eye can see, giving it a Sahara-like feel. The Espiguette beach is home to some very fragile flora and fauna. For this reason, it is partly protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral. This beach is the scene of numerous film shoots and photo opportunities.
The beaches of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
Accessible in just a few minutes from the village, the beaches of Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer are small, sandy beaches with a family atmosphere. Indeed, locals flock here whenever the weather permits. There are also several private beaches with comfortable facilities.
