Between land and sea, the Camargue offers a unique landscape in France. Wild, luminous, sometimes almost unreal, it captivates as much through its scenery as through its authenticity. Here, flamingos soar over the lagoons, white horses gallop through the marshes and gardian traditions still shape local life.
We love this region and visit regularly, which allows us to deepen our knowledge and discover all the wonders the Camargue has to offer.
If you are planning a summer stay in the region, some visits are simply unmissable. Iconic villages, immersive experiences and unspoilt nature… here is our top things to do in the Camargue in summer to make the most of it, as a family — and if you travel by motorhome, check out our Camargue motorhome guide.
Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: the heart of the Camargue
The town centre
Located at the heart of the Rhône delta, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer is without doubt the most iconic spot in the Camargue. The heart of the village is a real pleasure to explore. With its white alleyways, small shops and lively terraces, the atmosphere is typically Mediterranean.
In summer, the markets, events and restaurants bring Saintes-Maries to life. It is a perfect place to stroll in the early evening, when the light becomes softer and the heat subsides.
For walking and cycling enthusiasts
As soon as you move a little away from the centre, the scenery changes completely. Around the village, the marshes stretch as far as the eye can see, offering open, wild landscapes bathed in light.
It is an ideal playground for walks on foot or by bike. The paths are flat, accessible, and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the Camargue landscape. You will regularly come across flamingos, herons, and sometimes even wild horses.
You will find plenty of centres on site offering horse rides. On our side, we did a lovely multi-hour ride through the marshes. We did not really follow a path — we went wherever the wind took us, and it was wonderful. You could even, if you are feeling sporty, continue as far as the lighthouse. We told ourselves that next time, we would do it by bike!
A little history
You simply cannot visit the village without passing through the impressive Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Mer. Massive, almost austere from the outside, it once served as a refuge against invasions.
Inside, the atmosphere is completely different, more intimate, almost timeless.
This is where the famous Black Madonna can be found, an important pilgrimage figure, particularly for the Romani community. Steeped in history and symbolism, this place adds a powerful cultural and spiritual dimension to the visit. You can go and see her by descending into the small crypt of the church.
Aigues-Mortes: a timeless medieval city
You cannot talk about the Camargue without mentioning Aigues-Mortes. With its perfectly preserved ramparts, its charming narrow streets and its unique atmosphere somewhere between history and salt marshes, it is clearly one of our biggest highlights of the region.
From the moment you arrive, the setting is quite extraordinary. You discover a real medieval city surrounded by ramparts, set in the middle of the wild expanses of the Camargue. Yet, despite its very touristy feel in summer, the town retains a real soul and an incredibly pleasant atmosphere, especially in the evening when the alleyways quieten down a little.
It is also a perfect family stop: everything is easily done on foot, there is plenty to see without having to rush around everywhere, and the atmosphere is ideal for leisurely strolling between heritage, shops and nature.
The ramparts keep the town shaded in summer and, with the intense heat, it is very pleasant to walk around.
Walking the ramparts
This is obviously the must-do in Aigues-Mortes. The ramparts are among the best preserved in France and the walk offers magnificent views over the rooftops of the town, the surrounding marshes and the famous salt flats.
The walk is truly impressive as you realise just how much of a strategic stronghold the city once was. Plus, children generally love this kind of visit with the towers, the wall walks and the feeling of walking through a real medieval fortress.
Visiting the Tour de Constance
You cannot miss it. This enormous tower completely dominates the town and is one of the symbols of Aigues-Mortes.
The visit allows you to learn more about the history of the city as well as its former role as a prison. And most importantly, once at the top, the panoramic view over the entire Camargue is absolutely superb.
Getting lost in the alleyways of the historic centre
This is probably what we enjoyed most here: simply wandering with no particular aim.
The small cobbled streets are full of pretty facades, lively squares, craft shops, ice cream parlours and restaurants. The atmosphere becomes particularly pleasant in the evening when the terraces fill up and the ramparts take on a beautiful golden light.
We really recommend taking the time to step off the main streets to discover much quieter and more authentic corners.
You will find numerous shops and small restaurants there. Our personal highlight goes of course to the many santons craftspeople present in the village and, even if you are not fans of Provençal nativity scenes, do not hesitate to enter their workshops to appreciate their beautiful work.
If you have a passion for medieval cities, visit Carcassonne is a perfect stop just 1.5 hours away to extend your stay in Occitanie.
Visiting a manade: an immersion in Camargue traditions
If there is one experience that truly lets you discover the soul of the Camargue, it is visiting a manade. This is where you encounter the famous Camargue bulls, the white horses and above all a whole way of life deeply rooted in the region.
Even without being passionate about equestrian life or local traditions, this is an activity we absolutely loved. The landscapes are stunning, the atmosphere is completely transporting and it allows you to discover a far more authentic side of the Camargue.
For children, it is also a wonderful outing: seeing horses moving freely through the marshes or getting up close to the bulls is often a real holiday memory.
Discovering the Camargue horses and bulls
Most manades breed the famous white Camargue horses as well as the bulls used in Camargue traditions.
The visits generally allow you to learn more about:
- breeding,
- the gardians’ work,
- local traditions,
- and the typical Camargue way of life.
You also discover how these animals live at the heart of wild and unspoilt landscapes.
Going on a horse ride
Some manades offer horse rides through the marshes, reeds and lagoons.
It is probably one of the most iconic experiences to have in the Camargue. Even for beginners, there are often accessible and family-friendly rides available.
Riding through the Camargue landscapes at sunset must clearly be one of the most beautiful ways to discover the region.
Many manades cater for children and therefore offer pony rides for the youngest or guided horse rides for slightly older ones, always calm and completely safe.
Exploring by tractor trailer or little train
If you are travelling with young children or do not wish to ride a horse, many manades also offer visits by cart, tractor trailer or little train.
This allows you to observe the animals up close while discovering the vast expanses of the Camargue without any effort.
We were lucky enough to ride directly among the bulls in the tractor trailer, and the children were able to help the farmer throw bales of hay and above all observe this impressive animal from so close up.
Watching a gardian working demonstration
In some manades, it is possible to watch demonstrations where the gardians show their work with the horses and bulls.
It is very impressive to watch and allows you to better understand the Camargue traditions that are still very much alive today.
The salt flats: surreal landscapes and pink water
This is probably one of the most iconic landscapes in the entire Camargue. Between the vast expanses of pink water, the white mountains of salt and flamingos everywhere, the Salins d’Aigues-Mortes offer a completely otherworldly setting.
The first time you discover this place, you almost feel like you are in another country, so unusual are the colours and landscapes. In midsummer, when the sun is at its strongest, the pink hues become particularly spectacular.
It is also a visit that perfectly blends nature, discovery and a relaxed walk, making it an ideal family activity during a stay in the Camargue.
Discovering the famous pink expanses
The pink colour of the salt flats comes from a micro-algae present in the extremely salty water. Depending on the weather, the season and the light, the colours can range from pale pink to almost red hues.
The contrast between:
- the pink water,
- the brilliant white salt,
- the blue sky,
- and the flamingos,
creates truly incredible landscapes to photograph.
Taking the little train tour
This is the most well-known activity on site. The little train allows you to travel through the salt flats while discovering their history and how the salt harvest works.
The ride is very enjoyable as it gives access to vast areas that are otherwise difficult to reach, while you take in the landscapes without having to walk in the heat.
It is also a great option with children.
But you can also choose to rent bikes to explore the site or walk around it.
On our side, we did the full circuit on foot and it was very pleasant. The paths are well suited to everyone and being on foot allows you to take your time and stop as often as you wish to take photos, for example.
Seeing the impressive salt mountains
In the middle of the salt flats rise enormous mountains of white salt that sometimes give the impression of being faced with snowy dunes.
It is quite impressive to see in real life and it is one of the most striking images of the visit.
Understanding the salt harvest
The visit also allows you to learn more about salt production in the Camargue, a historically very important activity in the region.
You discover:
- how the water flows through the basins,
- how the salt forms,
- and how it is then harvested.
It is both fun and interesting, even for children.
Observing flamingos and wild fauna
If there is one place where you have almost a guaranteed chance of seeing flamingos up close in the Camargue, it is the Parc ornithologique de Pont de Gau.
It is clearly one of our favourite visits in the region. From the very first minutes, you find yourself plunged into the heart of the Camargue marshes, surrounded by birds absolutely everywhere. And here, no need for long hikes or powerful binoculars: the flamingos are often right next to the paths.
The park is very enjoyable to visit as a family as the paths are easy, completely flat and accessible to everyone. You simply take the time to walk through the lagoons, observe the animals and enjoy the incredible calm of the place.
Seeing flamingos up close
This is obviously the star of the park. Unlike many wild places where birds remain very far away, here the flamingos allow themselves to be observed just a few metres away.
You can easily watch them:
- feeding in the water,
- preening their feathers,
- flying over the lagoons,
- or gathered in groups of hundreds.
For photography enthusiasts, it is a true paradise.
Observing many bird species
Even though the flamingos attract all eyes, the park is home to many other birds.
Depending on the season, you may spot:
- grey herons,
- egrets,
- glossy ibis,
- wild ducks,
- storks,
- or raptors.
Every walk is different depending on the season and the water level in the marshes.
Walking through the heart of the Camargue marshes
The park offers several marked trails through the lagoons and reeds.
The walk is really very pleasant as you move through typically Camargue landscapes with:
- small wooden pontoons,
- water everywhere,
- reeds swaying in the wind,
- and a very peaceful atmosphere.
We spent the afternoon there, the children loved the visit and the animals were very visible: we did not have to search for them for long!
Throughout the park there are also observation hides, both low and elevated, allowing you to take your time observing the animals without disturbing them.
Numerous information panels are present along the walk with details about the species or little games for the children!
Arles: the cultural capital at the gateway to the Camargue
Even though Arles is situated a little on the edge of the Camargue, it would truly be a shame to miss it during a stay in the region. With its incredible Roman heritage, its charming little squares and its typically Provençal atmosphere, the town is well worth a full day’s visit.
You find a very different atmosphere here from the rest of the Camargue. Here, ancient alleyways, historic monuments, lively terraces and Provençal culture all come together.
It is a town we know very well, as we studied and lived there for a few years!
Discovering the Roman monuments
Arles is best known for its impressive Roman remains listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The must-sees:
- the famous Arles Arena,
- the Antique Theatre,
- the Baths of Constantine,
- or the Alyscamps.
Even without being a history enthusiast, the monuments are truly impressive to discover.
Strolling through the historic centre
The town centre is perfect for a leisurely stroll through:
- small cobbled streets,
- pretty Provençal facades,
- shaded squares,
- shops,
- and restaurants.
It is a very pleasant town to explore on foot with an enormous amount of charm.
Following in the footsteps of Van Gogh
Arles is also very closely linked to painter Vincent van Gogh, who created several of his most famous works here.
You will find several iconic locations linked to his time in the town, which adds a truly interesting cultural dimension to the visit.
Enjoying the markets and Provençal atmosphere
Depending on the day, the Arles markets are well worth the detour. Between local produce, Provençal specialities and crafts, the atmosphere is particularly enjoyable.
It is also an excellent spot to take a break on a terrace before heading back out towards the wild landscapes of the Camargue.
Just 30 minutes north of Arles, visit Les Baux-de-Provence is an unmissable stop if you have an extra day in the region.
