Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»Gîte at Salin de Badon (
Click here
)
»Le Mas de Peint (
Click here
)
Getting Around
Touring the tiny roads criss-crossing this flat, wild region is best done by car or bicycle.
The D36 along Étang de Vaccarès' eastern shore and the D85a north of Stes-Maries de la
Mer are particularly picturesque. For the Marseille-bound, the Bac de Barcarin provides a
car ferry (€5) across the Grand Rhône from Salin de Giraud.
THREE PERFECT DAYS
Day 1: Art & Architecture in Arles
Celts, Greeks and Romans shaped this colourful city, which is chock-a-block with ancient ruins (
Click here
)
.
Spend the day weaving these sites together with the modern legacy of Van Gogh. See what he painted on the
banks of the Rhône, on place du Forum (
Click here
)
with its yellow cafe, and in the mighty Roman amphitheatre
(
Click here
)
. For modern art, be sure to pop into the magnificent Musée Réattu (
Click here
) and the just-renov-
ated Fondation Vincent van Gogh (
Click here
)
.
Day 2: Nature Fest
Grab your binoculars and flock with the birds to the southeast corner of this extraordinary wetland: study its flora
at La Capelière (
Click here
)
and watch flamingos wade through springtime irises at Salin de Badon. End with a
horse trek through purple-flowered sea lavender and brackish lakes at Domaine de la Palissade (
Click here
).
Day 3: A Culinary Tour
Cycle the Digue à la Mer (
Click here
)
to Stes-Maries de la Mer for mussels and people-watching at La Cabane
aux Coquillages (
Click here
). Or head to Salins de Giraud (
Click here
)
for a salt-pan tour then lunch at Camar-
guais inn Estrambord (
Click here
)
, sheepfold La Chassagnette (
Click here
)
, or bull farm Le Mas de Peint (
Click here
). Taste wine and rice in the afternoon and dine on local
tellines
(tiny clams) at Restaurant La Telline (
Click here
) or Le Mazet du Vaccarès (
Click here
). Alternatively, return to Arles and choose from its embarrass-
ment of riches.
Advance Planning
»
Mosquitoes
Bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes are savage here.
»
Driving the Camargue
Carry water and binoculars. Get petrol before leaving town.
