There’s No Place Like the Camargue Delta

The Camargue Region

The Camargue region is between the Mediterranean Sea and both mouths of the Rhône river that form a delta – an area rich in nutrients and vegetation. It turns out that the Camargue is the biggest delta in Europe, home to government-protected, rich wetlands, and to more than 400 species of birds – including, unexpectedly, flamingos.

Safari Tours in the Camargue

When I called a local tour company to ask if they offered nature tours, the lady on the phone laughed and told me safari tours were their bestseller. I signed up for a half-day tour. 

I was picked up in an open-top jeep by Jean-Michel, the most vivacious and friendly human I'd ever encountered in my years living in France. Jean-Michel had grown up in the region and proudly claimed to be a true Arlésien, and also a "gardien" – a cowboy specic to the Camargue. The "gardiens" traditionally herd cattle and bulls in the region. There are two types of bull in the Camargue: Spanish bulls for bullghting in Spain and Camargue bulls that are used in the arenas for bull-racing in Provence. Unfortunately, these animals are either used for entertainment or are slaughtered – a harsh, cruel reality.

Jean-Michel passes out maps to our group and explains the cultural, natural and economic importance of the river mouths, while pointing to tiny specks of land dotting the south. These tiny islands are home to hundreds of animals, as well as sansouires (salt ats), étangs (salt water lakes), and marshes that form part of the Camargue Delta.

I instantly regretted only booking the half-day tour. If I had signed up for the full day tour, the tour would have continued to Aigues-Mortes Salt Marsh, the largest salt marsh in the Mediterranean, where the famous Camargue sea salt is produced.

Once on the bumpy dirt road, we drive through fields where majestic white horses run free. The Camargue horses are indigenous to the area and although they are smaller than most horse species used for farming around the world, they are incredibly strong.

As we near the water of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue, Jean-Michel tells us to be as quiet as possible. Far in the distance, we can see specks of pink everywhere in the water – flamingos. Originating from the west Mediterranean, the flamingos have been reproducing on a tiny island in the Camargue since the 1970s. According to our guide, these stunning birds can be found seeking refuge from April until September (however, according to some experts, due to climate change, the migration patterns have shifted).

The wildlife here is strictly protected, so visitors aren’t allowed to get too close. But from afar, wishing I’d packed my binoculars, I see thousands of pinkish-grey dots decorating the marshes. I learned that flamingos have grey feathers that turn pink due to a natural pink dye found in their diet.

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