Camargue national park france presentation. Camargue National Park

The sea lagoon and reed marshes of the Rhone River delta are a real natural stronghold for flamingos, white horses and wild bulls.

Our photo hunt for flamingos began in Seville, Spain, in Donana Park (). But in December it was not the season, so there were not many flamingos and the other birds turned out to be very shy. All sources write that in Europe there are only two habitats of pink flamingos - these are the Camargue and Donana reserves. The most active nesting time is April-May; in summer the lagoons may dry out and flamingos will be more difficult to see. According to guidebooks, the Camargue is home to thousands and thousands of common pink flamingos. We expected to see completely “pink” estuaries, teeming with numerous flocks of birds.

According to Google, the places look impressive.
Maps of the reserve and surrounding areas can be viewed And
You can stay overnight in one of the hotels in the seaside village LesSaintes-Maries-de-la-Mer on the west side of the bay. On both sides of the bay there are paved paths running close to the water.

Anticipating a successful photo hunt, we got up at 6 am, packed our photo backpack and followed the navigator to the very depths of the swampy bay. The well-surfaced D85a road goes right towards the marshes just outside the town. White wild stocky horses met us right next to the road.

It didn’t take long for the flamingos to arrive, but there were only a few flocks of them and no more than a dozen individuals in different parts of the lagoon. Our 300mm zoom was clearly not enough for such shots.

We tried our luck a little on different side paths of the bay looking for birds. Lakes and dirt paths to flamingos in the salt lagoons of Dike and Fangassier (22 km). We soon reached the main road D570 and 5 minutes later we parked at the entrance to the park Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Grau Coordinates N 43° 27"10" & E 4° 25"43"

The park opens at 9am, entry is €7.50 and the ticket is valid throughout the day. You can probably see birds from a very close distance only in this park. On its territory there are several houses and many paths among the thickets. Early in the morning the birds are especially active, and in the park they are also fed “breakfast”.

All three previous days in Provence there was sultry sunny weather with +37C, and only on the day of our flamingo photo hunt the weather turned bad and it was pouring rain all day. In the center of the park there is a large tree with many different herons and other birds.

There is no doubt that in sunny weather, a morning or evening walk through the reserve can be the real highlight of a trip to Provence.

Truly fiery in color Red flamingos live on the islands of the Caribbean and South America.

« Flamingos tend to preen, which takes a significant amount of time each day. They preen themselves using their beak, which distributes fat from a gland at the base of the tail onto their feathers. »

“They have an interesting feeding method: they muddy the mud and water with long legs and webbed feet. Then they plunge their beak, or even their head, into the water and absorb dirt and water. They shake their heads from side to side to shake off excess dirt and water and hold and eat plankton, fish and tiny fly larvae. When feeding, flamingos hold their breath."

“High numbers provide safety from predators, especially when they feed upside down underwater. »

“Flamingos stand on one leg because at this time they are warming the other.Flamingos have long legs, there are no feathers on them, and accordingly, the heat from such a surface, especially in windy weather, disappears very quickly."

Individuals who are easily carried away will find a vast field of activity here, because in pursuit of many species of flamingos they will have to visit several continents.

1- James Flamingo 2- Andean Flamingo 3- Red Flamingo
4- Chilean flamingo 5- Common flamingo 6- Lesser flamingo

ABOUTthe common pink flamingo is the most numerous andthe only migratoryview. The pair lays one egg and takes turns incubating it. Dirty gray young flamingos needconsume plenty of carotenoids withfood to turn pink and become attractive to future “brides”.

After checking out of the hotel and having lunch on the main street of the village with its many eateries, we drove around the eastern side of the bay along the D36b road at the very edge of the water. There we met wild bulls, horses, several flamingos and herons.

We considered the further trip along the same D36 to the salt mines a waste of time. Salin de Giraudon the southernmost corner of the Camargue. There are still salt deposits Salins du Midi on the southwest side of Petit Rhone .

A full report and detailed map of the recent trip to Provence will be in the next journal entry.

The Camargue is a regional natural park in France, located in the delta of France's largest river, the Rhone, near the Mediterranean Sea. It occupies 857 km 2. Created in 1928, on the initiative of the Head of the French National Society for the Conservation of Nature, Professor Louis Mangin. The landscape of the park is a swampy area (a third of the territory is a swamp lake), most of which belongs to salt marshes and sea lagoons.

According to legend, a chapel was erected on the territory of the reserve by two women, followers of Christ, with the same name - Mary, and also Sarah - their maid. The parishioners prayed to the gypsy and believed that she would convey their prayers to her mistresses. It is from here that a temple called “Gypsy Mary” now exists in the Camargue reserve, which was built later, in the fifteenth century. Now the church is one of the attractions of the reserve.

The main “live” attraction of the Camargue reserve are flamingos. This is the only place in Europe where these birds nest. Flamingos feed on crustaceans and make nests from mud and saltweed stems. There are fifteen thousand flamingos in the reserve, a third of which remain for the winter.

Warm winters and moderately rainy summers make this an excellent climate for many European ducks (teal, quacker). Birds such as plovers, gulls, avocets, red-nose ducks, common ducks, stilts, and meadow tigers also wait out the European frosts here. The overgrown reeds are teeming with bird species such as bittern, bittern, as well as many varieties of herons (red, yellow, little white, Egyptian), marsh harrier and warblers. The world of birds is the main treasure of the reserve, of which there are more than 300 species (waterfowl, semi-aquatic birds, raptors, passerines). Throughout the Camargue reserve, overgrown with reeds and spacious fields, wild white horses and black bulls roam, which do not need shepherds at all, since there are no predators here. They feel calm on this land and only sometimes fight for the attention of females. There is still no final version of how these animals appeared here, but scientists assume that they are descendants of Cretan bulls, which were brought by Greek colonists.

The fauna of the Camargue also includes many mammals - these are hares, wild boars, shrews, moles, rabbits, squirrels, beavers, hedgehogs and many other species of animals, of which there are more than 30. Thickets of bushes, perennial herbaceous plants, as well as forests of ash, poplar, willows, pine, juniper, gladioli, violets and many salt-loving plants, the flora of the Camargue is represented.

The local population of the Camargue loves to organize mass celebrations, where tourists from all over the world can watch black Camargue bullfights, as well as theatrical performances on white horses. In everyday life, the island's residents are engaged in growing rice, olives and other organic products, producing salt, farming, winemaking, and organizing tourism. The Camargue is a place for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Here you can enjoy horseback riding, cycling, hiking trails, as well as fishing, and if you wish, you can have a barbecue right on the beach. You can also take a full-day excursion around the territory by jeep, with lunch included, or by boat through the water part of the park.

It is worth visiting the bird museum, which is located 4.5 kilometers north of Sainte-Marie. In this small town there is a church, from the tower of which a panorama of the entire sea coast opens.

Near the park there is a city called Aigues-Mortes, the preserved city wall is its landmark, from the tower of which there is a wonderful view of the Camargue National Park itself. As a treat from the beautiful Camargue, you can buy your family natural wine Le Muscat de Lunel and Bel Air la Côte, raw smoked sausages and locally produced canned bovine meat, salt with various toppings.

You can get to the Reserve by sea or by renting a car, as well as by bus from the cities of Nîmes or Arles. The trip will take from half an hour to an hour, depending on which part of the Camargue (Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer, Aigues-Mortes, etc.) you want to visit.

It is customary to travel to the south of France for the expensive hotels on the Nice embankment, the parties and beach clubs of St. Tropez, the restaurants of Monaco and endless supplies of rosé wine. With all our love for the Cote d'Azur and the beautiful life by the sea, we love the incredible nature of these places even more. Perhaps because it looks like Crimea, not spoiled by greedy and incompetent construction. One of the main natural wonders of Southern France is the Camargue Regional Natural Park, located west of Marseille.

What else is Camargue? Why should I go there?

The nature of the Camargue Park is swamps, but not the swamps like in horror films and fairy tales, where it is dark, scary and Koshcheev’s death. The Camargue has stunning scenery with white sand, estuaries, sea and grass in all shades of green and yellow. The Camargue is also the natural habitat of a couple of hundred species of birds, bulls, semi-wild white horses and other living creatures.

What to see in the Camargue?

The easiest and most correct way to see representatives of the local fauna is to immediately go to areas equipped with observation decks and specially designed routes. Otherwise, you can drive along the fields for a long time, but really not see anything or anyone. Here are some of the scenic spots:

• Bird Park The Pont de Gau, where hundreds of pink flamingos live. Perhaps the most famous and popular tourist attraction in the Camargue. Entrance costs 7.5 euros.

• Domaine de la Palisade, located by the sea. When approaching your destination, pay attention to the signs. Domaine de la Palisade is what you need. Simply La Palisade is the road to the beach. By the way, it’s also beautiful there, but birds and horses can only be seen from afar. Entrance costs 3 euros.

• Phare de la Gacholle– A 20-kilometer route along the coast, closed to cars. Free for pedestrians and cyclists.
• La Capeliere, located on the shores of the Vaccare Lagoon. Here you can also obtain permission to visit the Salin de Badon, a former saltworks with three observation platforms (obtaining a permit is mandatory for visiting). Entrance – 3 euros.

You can study the full list of Camargue attractions in the English-language booklet of the tourist center of the city of Arles.

How to organize a trip?

If you are traveling on your own, without a guide, you need a means of transportation: a car or a bicycle. The Camargue is large; you will have to cover tens of kilometers in a day.

You should start your journey in Arles, the nearest relatively large settlement, or in one of the resort towns located on the edges of the Camargue - in Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer or Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone. Each of these cities has a tourist center where you can get a map and useful tips. You can also rent a bicycle there, book a tour of the park, ride an ATV or go horseback riding.

It’s worth budgeting at least one full day for a trip to the Camargue, and we recommend setting off early in the morning. Arles is treacherous - the charm of the old town, the ancient amphitheater and small family cafes can drag you into their net for half a day. If resistance is impossible, keep in mind when planning that the most interesting places in the park are not allowed after 5-6 pm. It is better to postpone sightseeing until the evening.

Be sure to bring mosquito repellent with you. If you're visiting the Camargue in summer, it's worth bringing beach gear with you. There are opportunities to lie by the sea both in Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer and in the wilder surroundings.

How to get there?

The closest major airport to the park is located in Marseille. The easiest way is to rent a car there (we recently told you how best to do this) and drive to Arles on your own. From Marseille to Arles it is about 90 km, and a car will come in handy when exploring the Camargue. We advise you to choose scenic regional roads rather than fast toll highways. There is also a train leaving from Marseille to Arles every hour. Travel time is 50-60 minutes.

useful links

• Arles tourist center: a lot of useful information, including the already mentioned booklet with a map and attractions, as well as, for example, a list of beaches in the region. Much more usable resource than the official one

Camargue(French Camargue) is a marshy area in the south of France, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Rhone River delta. The eastern branch of the river is called the Grand Rhône, the western branch is called the Petit Rhône.

Administratively, the Camargue is located within the department of Bouches-du-Rhône, also called the "Rhône Estuary". This area covers part of the territory of the communities of Arles, the largest commune in metropolitan France, as well as Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer and Porte-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône. The rest of the marshy plain is occupied by the Petit Camargue, located west of the Petite Rhone, which belongs to the department of Garde.

On December 1, 1986, according to the Ramsar Convention (a Ramsar site), the Camargue was declared a “wetland of international importance.” The area also inspired the name of a military operation during the First Vietnam War ("Operation Camargue").

Geography

The area of ​​the Camargue is more than 930 square meters. km. It is the largest river delta in Western Europe. The vast plain consists of large marine lagoons, salt marshes, alluvial sand islands and reed swamps. The area, in turn, is surrounded by large cultivated areas.

A third of the Camargue's territory is occupied by lakes or swamps. Lake Etan de Vacar and its surrounding wetlands have been protected as a nature reserve since 1927, providing refuge for wild birds. In 2008, it was included in the large regional nature park of the Camargue (the Parc naturel régional de Camargue).

Flora and fauna

There are more than 400 species of birds in this area, including flamingos. The swamp is a habitat for many species of insects, including, as sad as it may sound, the most ferocious mosquitoes that can be found in France. The well-known Camargue bulls and Camargue horses live here.

The local flora is well adapted to the salty soil. Sea lavender, saltwort, tamarisk and reed grow here.

Regional park

The Regional Nature Park of the Camargue was officially established as a regional park and reserve in 1970. Its territory covers 820 square meters. km. This is one of the most unspoiled and protected areas in Europe. The roadside museum provides information about the flora, fauna and history of the region.

Human influence

People have inhabited the Camargue territory for thousands of years. Drainage systems, dams, rice fields and salt pans have led to significant changes to the area. Much of the area was drained for agricultural purposes. The Camargue is home to a breed of horses of the same name. White Camarguais are ridden by local shepherds who raise bulls for Spanish bullfighting, as well as sheep. Most of these animals live in semi-wild conditions.

There are several cities in the Camargue. Its “capital” Arles is located in the extreme northern part of the Rhone delta. The town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer lies 45 km to the southwest. The medieval fortified town of Aigues-Mortes is located on the far western outskirts, in the Petite Camargue. Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer is a place of pilgrimage for Gypsies (Roma) who venerate Sainte Sarah (Saint Sarah).

In the Middle Ages, Kamrag was exploited by Cistercian and Benedictine monks. In the 16th-17th centuries, wealthy landowners from Arles created several estates here. At the end of the 18th century, the Rhone River was drained. In 1858, construction began on a dam that protected the delta from erosion. The northern part of the Camargue consists of agricultural land. Cereals, grapes and rice are grown here. Even in prehistoric times, salt was mined in this area, which continues to this day. In the Middle Ages it was a source of wealth for the Cistercians. In the 19th century, the salt industry developed intensively. Two large companies, Péchiney and Solvay, were involved in salt mining. The city of Salin de Giraud became the center of the salt industry.

The borders of the Camargue are constantly changing, as the Rhone River annually carries a huge amount of mud, about 20 million cubic meters. m, downstream. In general, there is a tendency for the coastline to shift. Aigues-Mortes was originally built as a coastal port. It is now 5 km inland. Several artificial water barriers, such as Rhône dams and levees, have been built in recent years, but flooding still remains a problem throughout the region.

Terrain in films

The children's film Crin-Blanc (1953), known in English as White Mane, is about horses and the area. The film was directed by Albert Lamorris. This black and white film received the Prix Jean Vigo award and the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.

The events of the youth romantic film Friends (1971) take place in the Camargue. There are many scenes of wildlife shown here. The soundtrack to the film “Michelle's Song” was performed by Bernie Toupin and Elton John. The song contains the phrase “tiny daughter of the Camargue.”

In 1963, Hammer Films released Maniac, which was partly filmed in the Camargue.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camargue
Translation by Tatyana Gorban

In the south of France, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, .

The Camargue is a wetland, a mixture of salt marshes, reed marshes, sea lagoons and alluvial sand islands. These places are favored by numerous birds and many animals. The symbols of the Camargue are pink flamingos, black bulls and the unique wild snow-white Camargue horses that exist only here.

Geography of the Camargue:

The Camargue is divided by the branches of the Rhone River into three parts:

• Little Camargue (Petite Camargue) in the west of the Petite Rhone
• Grande Camargue - in the center between the Petite and Grande Rhône, it is mainly a lagoon.
• Plan du Bourg to the east.

Landscape of the Camargue:

The Camargue is a flat, flat landscape of interspersed ponds and meadows. Not as impressive as its neighbors, but the main thing here is not the landscape, but nature. You don’t even have to look too closely - you will see the most interesting birds and animals in their natural habitat. It doesn’t matter how you go to see the Camargue - by car, on foot or by boat - nature that is amazing in its naturalness and beauty awaits you.

To admire the birds, it is worth visiting the Pont de Gau ornithological park - this is where the photographs of delicate flamingos crowded in the pond are from. Well, besides them, there are many other birds, information about which can be found from information boards. The park is equipped with special viewing platforms to make it easier to admire the birds and disturb them as little as possible.

Ornithological Park Pont de Gau:

This is a huge reserve with an area of ​​120 hectares, where you can see 260 species of birds. Some of them live in the park permanently, while others migrate depending on the season. A special route with observation points in some places has been developed for tourists in the park. The card can be obtained in the park, along with the entrance ticket.

• Entrance: 7.5 €
• Opening hours: in summer 9:00 - 19:00

Camargue horses:

The Camargue nature reserve is home to about 4 thousand wild horses of a special local breed, which are called the “Camargue horse”. An interesting fact is that the foals of Camargue horses have a bay or black color, but over time it lightens and becomes snow-white. Zoologists are still arguing about the origin of these beautiful animals. Genetically, the Camargue is close to the ancient horses of the Upper Paleolithic, common in Europe about 45 thousand years ago. The Camargue is distinguished from thoroughbred horses by its extraordinary endurance and unpretentiousness.

According to historical chronicles, after the conquest of Gaul, Julius Caesar quartered the veterans of the glorious 6th region in. They began breeding and improving the breed of local horses. This began to bring in good income, so it soon became a prosperous city.

View Camargue:

There are several options for admiring the beauty of the Camargue:

• On foot(there are several routes in the Camargue, on foot, by bike or by car. There is one route from, there is a themed route with flamingos)
• On a tourist mini-train(from - 7 euros, inexpensive, but shaky)
• On the ship(there are cruises along the Little Rhone, one and a half hours, 12 euros, with stops to admire the animals up close)
• Horse rides(depending on time, from 20 euros per person, by prior arrangement)
• Car safaris(approximately from 40 euros for 2 hours per person)

Camargue cruises from Sainte-Marie-de-la-Mer:

Most often, people travel to the Camargue from a resort town. From here, during the high season, several routes along the Little Rhone depart, lasting an hour and a half. The trip is accompanied by comments. The ship stops at a couple of places so tourists can get up close and personal with the animals.

• Cruise duration: 1:30
• Cost: 12 euros
• Route – Petit Rhone – from Saint Maries-de-la-Mer to Bac du Savage with stops at horse and bull farms for photo opportunities.
• 3 companies: Bateau Camargue, TIKI III, LES QUATRE MARIES
• Departure from the port of Sainte-Marie de la Mer
• Boarding is 15 minutes before departure.
• Minimum group – 6 people.

Cruise schedule to Camargue:

• Bateau Camargue: From July 9 to August 31: 10:45, 14:30, 16:10, 17:55, in September: 10:30, 14:30, 16:10, from October 1 to 13 10:30 and 14: 30, from October 14 to November 1 - 14:30.
• TIKI III: April - September 10:00, 14:30, 16:15, from July 14 to August 31 - additionally 11:30, 18:00, second half of March and October - only 14:30.
• LES QUATRE MARIES: 10:30, 14:30, 16:15, in July - August - additionally at 18:00.

Click on the image to enlarge the map.