Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BOUCHES-DU-RHONE
The Bouches-du-Rhône region is well named (
bouches
means mouths), for
here the broad channel of France's most important river splits into several
separate streams, flowing into the Mediterranean via lagoons and grassy
plains. This is the Camargue, a unique wetland partly protected by conserva-
tion areas. The Rhône is Provence's western boundary and for centuries the
river was the region's highway. Hence, some of its most important towns
grew up along its banks, while villages and medieval abbeys are tucked away
in the hills. On the coast, windswept beaches fringe the Camargue, but east
of the delta the landscape becomes rocky, with many small inlets
(calanques)
.
1. ROMAN ARLES
The delightful town of Arles, founded by the Romans, stands on the east bank of the
Rhône and is the gateway to Provence from the west (for further details see
Roman
Arles
).
2. AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Aix is just a stone's throw from the sprawl of Marseille, but keeps its own identity,
with cosmopolitan cafés, a grand cathedral and beautiful 18th-century fountains (for
further details see
Aix-en-Provence
).
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3. THE CAMARGUE
This vast expanse of salt marshes, lagoons and grazing land, home to rare bird and
animals species, is protected within the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue and oth-
er conservation areas (for further details see
The Camargue
).
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