Camargue, France

The Camargue is a vast marshy area covering 860 square kilometres, located in southern France at the delta of the Rhône. The nature of Camargue is unique with a large number of wild animals, rare birds and brilliant salt flats for salt extraction. Camargue is the only place in Europe where the pink flamingo nests. Since 1970, Camargue has been declared a Regional Nature Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main centre of the park is the Museum of Camargue, where one can find information about the history of the area, in addition to hiking, trekking and horse-riding tours, as well as cattle farms converted into beautiful hotels and restaurants. The best time to visit here is from March to mid-May.

The population in Kamarg is small , but this place, with its extraordinary wild nature, is visited by numerous tourists. The locals are engaged in farming, fishing and cattle breeding. The lush pastures are grazed by white horses ridden by Camargue herdsmen, called here gardians-the last cowboys in Europe. White horses are small in stature, gentle and acquire their white colour when they are seven years old. The brave and hardy men here also breed the black bulls for the races at Nîmes and Arles. The shepherds still live in the low white huts that are inextricably linked to the landscape of Camargue.

Sainte Marie de la Mer Sainte Marie de la Mer is a cosy village in Camargue set around a huge fortified church. A tradition since the 16th century, a festival is held here every year on 24 and 25 May, when gypsies from all over the world flock to worship their patron saint, Sarah. Then the streets are filled with flamenco dancing, colourfully dressed gypsies. To make the celebration complete, there are also horse races, much merriment and delicious food in the cute restaurants of Saint Marie de la Mer. In the Baroncelli Museum, located in the old town hall of the village of Saint Marie, there are exhibitions related to the traditions of Camargue.

San Gilles de Gar The village of San Gilles de Gar is called the "gateway to Camargue".Notable here is the church, where statues of saints are arranged around its three beautiful 12th-century portals. An interesting spiral staircase leads to the bell tower, where the view is exceptional.

Eg Morth At the western end of Camargue lies the ghostly medieval town of Eg Morth. The town was once an important port, but it is now silted up and abandoned From the city walls , reached via the Archaeological Museum, the view is unbeatable-the pastures, the horses, the rice plantations...