Camargue

Flora & Fauna, seafood, vineyards, beaches and sun

Discovering the Camargue region of France

With more sunshine than anywhere else in France, you can enjoy a friendly welcome and good cruising weather right through to the end of October.

Map of the canals and rivers

Canal and river map for  Camargue

Hotel barges

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Athos barge cruise

Athos

Midi Canal
10 guests
★★★★

Self-drive boats in this region

Locaboat

Locaboat have 15 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Europa 400 self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
Europa 600 self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
P1020 FB self-drive
5 guests
4 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1022FB self-drive
3 guests
2 adults, 1 child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
P1106 FB self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★
P1107W self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
P1120R self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1165 FB self-drive
7 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
P1180 FB self-drive
7 guests
6 adults, 1 child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
P1260R self-drive
10 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P1400 FB self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 FB self-drive
12 guests
8 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
P1500 R self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
P935W self-drive
5 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★
Penichette Evolution self-drive
4 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★

Nicols

Nicols have 16 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

N DUO self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
N OCTO self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N OCTO Fly C self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N PRIMO self-drive
4 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★
N QUATTRO FLY C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N QUATTRO S self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★
N SIXTO self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N SIXTO FLY C self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N SIXTO PRESTIGE C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
N1010 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1100 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
N1170 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1310 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1350 B self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
N800 self-drive
3 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★
N900 DP self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★

Nicols

Nicols have 18 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

N DUO self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, child
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★★
N OCTO self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N OCTO Fly C self-drive
10 guests
4 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N PRIMO self-drive
4 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★★
N QUATTRO B self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO B + self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N QUATTRO FLY C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N QUATTRO S self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
★★★★
N SIXTO self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★
N SIXTO FLY C self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★★
N SIXTO PRESTIGE C self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
N1000 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1100 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★
N1170 self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1310 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
N1350 B self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
★★★★
N800 self-drive
3 guests
1 cabin
1 bathroom
★★
N900 DP self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★

France Passion Plaisance

France Passion Plaisance have 7 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

Haines Rive 34 self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Haines Rive 40 self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 32 self-drive
8 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 37 DP self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 42 self-drive
12 guests
6 cabins
2 bathrooms
★★★
Tarpon 42 TP self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
★★★★★
Tarpon 49 QP self-drive
12 guests
8 adults, 2 children
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
★★★★★

Le Boat

Le Boat have 31 different self-drive boats for you to choose from.

7 nights for 5!
Calypso self-drive
8 guests
4 adults, 4 children
3 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Caprice self-drive
6 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Cirrus A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
1 cabin
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Cirrus B self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Budget rating
Classique self-drive
8 guests
6 adults, 2 children
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Classique Star self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, 4 children
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Clipper self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Consul self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
Continentale self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Corvette A self-drive
4 guests
2 adults, 2 children
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Budget rating
7 nights for 5!
Crusader self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Budget rating
Elegance self-drive
6 guests
4 adults, 2 children
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Grand Classique self-drive
12 guests
6 adults, 4 children
5 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Horizon 1 self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating
Horizon 2S self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 3 self-drive
7 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 4 self-drive
9 guests
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Horizon 5 self-drive
12 guests
5 cabins
5 bathrooms
Premium rating
Magnifique self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Mystique self-drive
8 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Classique self-drive
6 guests
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Royal Mystique A self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
Royal Mystique B self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort Plus rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa A self-drive
10 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
7 nights for 5!
Salsa B self-drive
12 guests
4 cabins
2 bathrooms
Comfort rating
Sheba self-drive
5 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
rating
Tango self-drive
6 guests
2 cabins
1 bathroom
Comfort rating
Vision 3 self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 3 SL self-drive
10 guests
6 adults, child
3 cabins
3 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
4 bathrooms
Premium rating
Vision 4 SL self-drive
9 guests
8 adults, child
4 cabins
1 bathroom
Premium rating

Camargue information

Camargue

Known for its splendid natural beauty and proximity to the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea in southern France, the Camargue covers an area of over 900 square kilometres. It is Western Europe's largest river delta. It forms part of the Provence region. The landscape comprises saltwater lagoons, rivers, lush grasslands, rice paddies and vineyards.

With more than 400 species of bird living in the marshes, bring your binoculars! From hawks and eagles to the much-photographed and prolific pink flamingos, this is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Home to herds of the ancient indigenous breed of white horses, the Camargue is also renowned for its black bulls.
Watch the "Gardiens", Europe’s only cowboys, as they breed and train the bulls and horses in the region’s "manades", or ranches. 

Discover the fortress town of Aigues-Mortes, rising above the salt flats, explore the old town of Sète with its network of canals, or visit the town of Arles, Van Gogh’s inspiration for hundreds of paintings and drawings, with its Roman amphitheatre.

After a memorable day cruising, sample the local delicacies including superb beef from the bulls and cows of the Taureau de Camargue AOP, fresh seafood, natural red rice and Camargue honey. Season with Camargue salt or the Fleur de Sel condiment and accompany your repast with rosé wine from the Camargue or the wines of nearby Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon.

The climate is typically Mediterranean: the summers are hot and dry with a cooling breeze from the sea, and the winters are mild.
With more sunshine here than anywhere else in France, you can enjoy pleasant weather right through to the end of October.
Take advantage of virtually lock-free cruising in the Camargue.

Cruise the Etang du Thau, with its oyster beds and numerous birds, including some rare species, or the Canal du Rhône à Sète, which borders sandy beaches. 

Must places to visit and things to do whilst you're here

  • Aigues-Mortes
    • Chapelle des Pénitents gris
    • Salins du Midi
    • Fortifications and walls of the town
    • Place Saint-Louis
  • Arles and its amphitheater
  • Domaine de la Palissade and its natural park
  • Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and the crypte for "Sara la noire"
  • Salin-de-Giraud with the salt marshes
  • In Montpellier
    • Place de la Comédie
    • Château de Flaugergues
    • Jardin des Plantes
    • Rue de l'Ancien-Courrier
    • Place Royale du Peyrou
  • The markets of Palavas-les-Flots and La-Grande-Motte
  • In the town of Sète
    • Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette
    • La Marine
    • Mon Saint-Clair and the panorama
    • Vieux port of Sète
    • also Abbaye de Valmagne at Villeveyrac  and Villa Loupian
  • In the town of Agde
    • The Fort Brescou
    • Church Saint-André d'Agde
    • Cathedral Saint-Etienne
  • Whilst in Béziers
    • The old bridge
    • Allées Paul-Riquet
    • Cathedral Saint Nazaire
    • Oppidum d'Ensérune
    • The canal locks at Fonséranes
  • The "Pont Van-Gogh" near Arles

Learn the difference between a Manade and a Mas. Discover the black bulls, the horses, and the cavaliers of the Camargue. 

More information from the tourism office

Places to eat and restaurants

  • Arles
    • La Table Lionel Giraud (** star Michelin)
    • Alexandre (** star Michelin)
    • Near Arles L'Oustau de Baumanière at Les-Baux-de-Provence (*** Michelin)
  • Near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
    • La Coursejade
    • L'Estelle en Carmargue
  • At Port-Camargue
    • Spinnaker
    • L'Armarette
  • At Aigues-Mortes
    • Le Patio' Né
    • L'Atelier de Nicolas
  • La Réserve Rimbaud in Montpellier (* star Michelin)
  • At Le Grau-de-Roi
    • Le Dauphin
    • Le Comptoir des Voiles
  • In Palavas-les-Flots
    • Page Palace
    • Le Saint-Georges
  • L'Epicurien in Frontignan
  • Le Sain-Clair in Balaruc-les-Bains
  • Les Palmiers in Mèze
  • In Sète
    • La Senne
    • La Coquerie
    • The Marcel in Sète (* star Michelin)
  • In Agde
    • L'Envie
    • Le Vagues

Waterways in this region

The Canal du Rhône à Séte, Etang de Thau, the Canal du Midi, the Canal de Jonction, the Canal de la Robine, the River Hérault, and the Petit Rhône

Technical and construction information for the waterways in this region

The Robine Canal   The Rhône-Sète canal