Arriving -- Few trains serve the Camargue. You can travel from Arles to Aigues-Mortes (trip time: around 2 hours, 15 min.; 17.20€ one-way), but you’ll have to change in Nîmes. For rail information, visit www.voyages-sncf.com or call [tel] 36-35. Regional buses go from Arles to Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer (www.lepilote.com; [tel] 08-10-00-13-26; trip time: 45 min.; 2.90€ one-way), stopping at Musée de la Camargue and Pont de Gau Parc Ornithologique en route. Buses run from Nîmes to Aigues-Mortes (www.edgard-transport.fr; [tel] 08-10-33-42-73; trip time: 40 min.; 1.50€ one-way), then on to Le Grau-du-Roi (trip time: 15 min.; 1.50€ one-way. If you’re driving from Arles, take D570 southwest to Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer. To Aigues-Mortes, take the same route, veering westwards onto D58. 

Visitor Information -- The Ste-Maries-de-la-Mer Office de Tourisme is at 5 av. Van Gogh (www.saintesmaries.com; [tel] 04-90-97-82-55). The Aigues-Mortes Office de Tourisme is at place Saint-Louis (www.ot-aiguesmortes.fr; [tel] 04-66-53-73-00). The Parc de Camargue Office de Tourisme is at Mas du Pont de Rousty, just outside of Arles (www.parc-camargue.fr; [tel] 04-90-97-10-82).

Special Events -- Each year on May 24 and 25, Romany gypsies from around the world descend en mass upon Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer for the Pélerinage des Gitans, a celebration of the feast day of Saint Sara. Festivities include parading a statue of Sara from Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer’s church crypt to the sea, as well as plenty of singing and wild dancing.

Getting Around

By Bicycle & Motor Scooter -- Le Vélo Saintois, 19 avenue de la République, Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer (www.levelosaintois.camargue.fr; [tel] 04-90-97-74-56), rents bicycles from 15€ per day. They can also advise on regional circuits for varying level of difficulty.

By Boat --  During July and August, a riverboat (www.croisieres-camargue.com) connects Aigues-Mortes and Le Grau-du-Roi. The journey takes around half an hour, and costs 4.50€ per adult, 2.50€ per child one-way.

By Car --  Public transport in this region is patchy at best. If you’re keen to get out the Camargue’s main towns (and are not up for pedaling), having your own set of wheels will definitely be handy.

FastFacts: The Camargue

ATMs/Banks --  Société Marseillaise de Crédit, 3 avenue de la Plage, Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer ([tel] 04-90-97-86-09); BNP Paribas, 1 boulevard Diderot, Aigues-Mortes ([tel] 08-20-82-00-01); Société Générale, 7 place de la République, Le Grau-du-Roi ([tel] 04-66-51-47-06).

Mail & Postage -- La Poste, 2 avenue Léon Gambetta, Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer ([tel] 36-31); La Poste, place Viguerie, Aigues-Mortes ([tel] 36-31); La Poste, 2 place de la Libération, Le Grau-du-Roi ([tel] 36-31).

Pharmacies -- Pharmacie Cambon, 18 rue Victor Hugo, Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer ([tel] 04-90-97-83-02); Pharmacie du Soleil, 15 avenue de la Liberté, Aigues-Mortes ([tel) 04-66-53-61-30); Pharmaice du Centre, 7 rue Michel Rédarès, Le Grau-du-Roi ([tel] 04-66-51-40-34).

 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.