Camargue
Travelers come for flamingos, white horses and salt marshes in the Rhône delta, with Arles and the seaside town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer within reach.
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The Camargue is a coastal region in southern France, south of Arles, where the Mediterranean meets the two arms of the Rhône delta. Most of it lies in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. At over 930 km², it is one of western Europe's largest river deltas, made of brine lagoons (étangs), sandbars and reed-covered marshes. Its wetlands are home to more than 400 bird species, including the greater flamingo, and to white Camargue horses and cattle that roam semi-feral in herds called manades. Gardians, the local cowboys, ride the horses and tend the cattle.
Arles, the region's capital, sits at the northern tip of the delta. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, about 45 km (28 mi) southwest of Arles, is a seaside town and the stop for the annual Romani pilgrimage to Saint Sarah. Aigues-Mortes, a medieval fortress-town on the western edge, was built as a coastal port and now lies about 5 km (3.1 mi) inland. Plan your days around the marshes, the beaches and the towns. Flooding remains a problem across the delta, and the land keeps changing with the water and weather.
Camargue in five
- Bring mosquito repellent from late spring to autumnWetlands mean mosquitoes, especially around dusk. Long sleeves and repellent matter more than a flamingo-spotting guide.
- Use a guide or a car; buses are thinBuses link Arles and Saintes-Maries, but most trails, lookouts and bird reserves are off the line. Rent a car, hire a driver or join a small-group tour.Getting around France
- Go early or late for flamingosBirds are most active in the morning and evening light. Check the reserve's opening hours on its official site before you drive out.
- Pair the Camargue with Arles or NîmesArles has Roman sites and Van Gogh walks, and Nîmes has an amphitheatre. Stay in one of them and reach the delta in a day.Arles
Things to do in Camargue
See all attractions in Camargue
Need to know
- Airport
- Marseille Provence (MRS) or Montpellier (MPL), each about 1–1.5 hours
- Getting there
- Train to Arles or Nîmes, then bus, car or tour
- Getting around
- Car or tour; bike for flat tracks; limited buses
- Best base
- Arles for sights; Saintes-Maries for the beach and horses
- Time needed
- 1 long day, or 2–3 with Aigues-Mortes
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh11°Low5°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Spring, birdsMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, birds
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low10°Warm, flamingosAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, flamingos
- MayClear9 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Pilgrimage, hotMayClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Pilgrimage, hot
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, mosquitoesJuneClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, mosquitoes
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Hot, mosquitoesJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, mosquitoes
- AugustClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low20°Hot, busyAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Rice harvestSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rice harvest
- OctoberClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low14°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Cold, quietDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
Average daily high and low in Arles, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Camargue
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 24 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Camargue
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°7°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue16°6°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed11°8°85%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Thu15°10°95%Thursday: Rain. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri14°9°94%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sat14°7°17%Saturday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Sun17°14°42%Sunday: Rain. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 42%.
Updated 05:45 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jun–JulAix-en-Provence FestivalAix-en-Provence, a day trip
- JulFestival d'AvignonAvignon, a day trip
- Jul–AugChorégies d'OrangeAvignon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Saintes-Maries-de-la-Merabout 45–60 min by road from ArlesA beach town known for the May pilgrimage and its horse culture.
- Aigues-Mortesabout 1 hour by road from Arles or NîmesA walled medieval town beside pink salt pans.
- Arlesabout 20–30 min by train from NîmesRoman sites and a Van Gogh trail.Read the guide
Before you go to Camargue
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Rules for Camargue, checked
- The Parc naturel régional de Camargue covers 820 km², so keep to marked paths and tracks.
- The Camargue horses and cattle roam semi-feral in herds called manades. Do not feed or approach them.
- Mas are large estates, many still farmed. Ask the owner before walking onto farm tracks, or go with a tour operator.
- The Camargue is a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Keep noise low and stay back from nesting birds and flamingos.
- Check the Parc naturel régional de Camargue for current access rules, closures and guided-visit times before you go.
Plan around Camargue
Roman arena and a base for the delta
Read the guideNîmesRoman amphitheatre and a rail hub
Read the guideProvenceLavender, markets and hilltop villages
Read the guideMarseillePort city with an airport and trains
Read the guideGetting around FranceTrains, buses and driving tips
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, cities and train routes
Read the guideCamargue FAQ
Is the Camargue worth visiting?
Yes for birds, horses and open wetlands, especially if you like nature and slow travel. It is less about museums and more about scenery and light.
How many days do you need in the Camargue?
One long day covers a reserve, a ride or tour and a seaside meal. Two or three days add Aigues-Mortes, Arles and a quieter schedule.
Can you visit the Camargue without a car?
Partly: buses run between Arles and Saintes-Maries, and tours leave from Arles and Nîmes. A car or a guided tour opens up the lookouts and reserves.
When is the best time to visit the Camargue?
April, May, September and October for milder heat and fewer mosquitoes. Summer is hot with more insects; winter is quiet.
When is the Gypsy pilgrimage at Saintes-Maries?
It takes place around 24–25 May each year. Expect large crowds and booked rooms, so reserve well ahead.