Pink flamingos, white horses, salt and saints - The Camargue

The Camargue is somewhere I have always wanted to visit and we were able to explore the region during the October school vacation.  The Camargue is formed by two arms of the Rhone River, the Grand-Rhone and the Petit-Rhone  all which flow into the Mediterranean sea.  Because of its unique mixture of freshwater and saltwater, this natural delta wetland is home to many varieties of birds and animals. 

http://www.lost-in-france.com/french-regions/provence/1056-the-magnificent-camargue

On our first day we headed to the town of Salin-de-Giraud where we saw flamingos in the shallow waters and salt flats.  Upon first glance, I was surprised to see the town set up in a grid because I am so used to "hanging" villages that are built into the contours of a hill.  This town had a definite grid pattern and after some research I learned that that particular neighborhood of Salin-de-Giraud was built to house the salt flat workers.  Salt has been produced in this area for hundreds of years but in the latter half of the 1800's there were two factories that used salt to produce sodium carbonate.  

Former housing for factory workers - Salin-de-Giraud

Salt Flats 

Mounds of salt

Plage de Piemanson was the next stop on our itinerary.  The road to get there was bordered on one side by the Rhone River and the other by salt pools.  The drive was beautiful and we were able to see herons, swans, ducks, gulls and flamingos.

The tourist office suggested an easy walk to a lighthouse across some "digues" (earthen seawalls) and we desperately tried to find the road that would take us to the trail head.  Unfortunately we ran out of time. The sun was setting and we still had to find our way out.

The sun setting on the Camargue

Time to find our way out of here! 

Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer was on our itinerary for the next day.  We parked in the village near the "arènes" (bullring) and we took a short walk along the beach.  Most of the buildings in the village are white-washed with red tile roofs.  I felt like I was in Spain, not in France.  The church/fortress Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer occupies a central square in the village.  From the beach we could see that people are allowed to go on the roof terrace of the church but the inside was recently closed for restoration. 

Beach walk Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

L'Eglise Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer with visitors perched along the roof line

Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe, women present at the Crucifixion of Christ, came to what is now known as Sainte-Maires-de-la-Mer.  The relics of Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe are stored in the church and people worldwide make pilgrimages here to honor the saints.  Saint Sarah, the patron saint of Romani (Gypsy), is venerated here and the church and town has become an important place of pilgrimage for Gypsies.  The procession of the "Black Mary" is an event every year where thousands of "Gitan" or Roma parade the statue of the saint to the sea.

Camargue Cross -  cross, Camargue trident, heart and anchor - Symbols of the Camargue

Camargue Horses

We finished off the afternoon horseback riding in the marshes of the Camargue.  Sophia and I went with a group for an hour ride.  It was fantastic!  The weather was perfect, the sun was setting and the horses were beautiful.  Every time I write a blog I say that there is so much more to see and that I want to return!  Once again it is true for the Camargue. I want to return when the days are longer and I can visit the sunny beaches of this natural wonder - the Camargue.