Camargue Daytrip From Arles – Perfect Camargue Itinerary For One Day

Flock of flamingos flying over the marshes in the Camargue

Planning my anniversary trip to the south of France, I was very excited to visit the Camargue. This unique region sounded like a world apart from the rest of Provence. Apparently I’m not the only one to think so, since this wetland area is on the UNESCO list for its rich biodiversity. With iconic white horses, black bulls, and flocks of flamingos, the Camargue delta offers plenty to explore if you know what to look for. Planning a Camargue daytrip from Arles means prioritizing what you want to see and choosing the best way to experience it.

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I drove myself through the Camargue. This gave me the flexibility to stop for wildlife and soak in the scenery. If you’re not renting a car, I’ve linked a few recommended tours that make the experience accessible without the hassle of driving. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or just curious about this unique corner of France, here’s my guide for a memorable day trip to the Camargue from Arles, France.

Rent a car in France.

What is the Camargue?

The Camargue is a marshy area in the south of France known for its nature and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The Camargue is most famous for three things: beautiful white horses, black bulls, and wild flamingos you can visit year-round.

Culturally, the Camargue is also historically important to the Romani people.

The Camargue is part of the Rhone Delta region. Since much of the land is marshy wetland, it is an important habitat for migratory birds. The Camargue is also an important agricultural region, specifically for rice and for bulls, which are used for their meat and for the traditional French bullfighting, which is called The Course Camarguaise. Unlike in the Spanish tradition, the bulls are not killed.

The Camargue is one of the largest natural reserves in France, covering 150,000 hectares of land.

A Camargue daytrip from Arles as long enough to see the highlights of this culturally and ecologically distinct region in the south of France.

While you won’t be able to see the entire thing, this one day Camargue may attempt to you to plan another trip to the region.

Is the Camargue Worth Visiting?

When I was putting together my Camargue itinerary during my south of France road trip, I came across a few guides suggesting that it was overrated. People complained that they didn’t see the flamingos or the famous pink lakes, or that there wasn’t as much wildlife as they had hoped to see.

In my experience these naysayers are absolutely wrong. If you are a wildlife lover like me, the Camargue is absolutely worth visiting. And if you know where to go – and get an early start – you will be able to experience the delta’s natural beauty for yourself.

Best Time to Visit the Camargue

Spring through autumn is generally considered the best time to visit the Camargue on a daytrip from Arles.

Spring is the best time to visit the Camargue if you’re a birder, because migratory birds return to the area so you can check a wide range of species off your birding list.

The famous pink flamingos of the Camargue can be seen from April to September (which is when I went).

A smaller population hangs out year round, but you will see the greatest quantity if you visit from spring to fall.

In May, the Romani people hold a gypsy pilgrimage honoring Saint Sara, based in the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. During the festival, the statue of Sara is carried from the local church down to the sea.

Summer is the best time to enjoy Camargue beaches or bicycle the Camargue. However, it can also bring higher crowds to contend with!

By September, the crowds have left. The migratory birds are still around as are the flamingos.

The mistral winds can be a concern (and were blowing when I visited), but the weather can still be pleasant enough that you can make the most of the outdoor activities.

Best Camargue Tour From Arles

The Camargue is a 30 minute drive from Arles. It is a super easy day trip if you have a car, but there are also many group tours that leave from Arles. These are some of the most popular Camargue day tours:

  • Half-Day 4×4 Camargue Safari From Arles: This half-day 4×4 guided tour is a favorite of wildlife lovers. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, fluent in English, showcase the region’s iconic wild horses, black bulls, flamingos, and a variety of migratory and local bird species.While the bench seats in the trunk can be uncomfortable on bumpy terrain and wildlife sightings are unpredictable, this tour offers an intimate and unforgettable small group experience in the Camargue. Best for photographers, birders and wildlife lovers.
  • Camargue Safari from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer: If you’re short on time, this 2-hour safari departing from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer offers a quicker, more intimate way to explore the scenic Camargue. A knowledgeable guide and designated driver will take you to the Point Gar Ornithological Park and other sites of the Camargue on a private tour for just your group. While this tour provides a quieter alternative to 20-person bus tours of the Camargue, the jeeps are a bit rugged. Individuals with mobility issues can struggle to get seated comfortably in the jeeps. Best if you want the highlights in a quick trip, or a personal tour in English, French or Italian.
  • Camargue Guided Electric Bike Tour: Guided in English or French, the tour includes 1.5 hours of cycling through authentic landscapes, with opportunities to see iconic Camargue horses, bulls, and even pink flamingos along the way. Visit a breeding ranch to learn about the animals, then head to Mas du Notaire winery for a wine and snack break featuring bull saucisson and fresh fougasse. While the tour is well-paced with breaks and a friendly guide, some participants wished for more detailed commentary during the ride. Best for active travelers.

What to See in a Day Trip to the Camargue

Spot Birds at Point Gar Ornithological Park

We got an early start from Arles, and headed to the Point Gar Ornithological Park. The park covers 60 hectares, with fresh and salt water. Trails lead through the park, letting you observe the wildlife.

Birds are most active in the early morning and again around sunset; however the park is only open from 9 am to 6 pm. I recommend going on the early side because you will see more birds.

Most people spend 60 to 90 minutes at the bird park.

Take the Bateau Camargue to see Bulls and Horses

Another option to see wildlife is the boat tour from Saint-Marie-Sur-Mer. There are multiple tours per day; each one last 90 minutes and goes up the Petit Rhone channel.

Trees of the Camargue

The first ten minutes of the boat tour is on open ocean, which can be choppy in the mistral. It was super wavy, so if you get seasick definitely consider taking medication. After that point the water was extremely gone.

As we rode upriver we spotted herons, egrets, cormorants and anhingas. We didn’t see any flamingos from the boat because they need to be in salty water.

We rode past a ranch where a Camargue cowboy (or gardian) was driving bulls out to water on a white horse. It was fun taking photos of the cowboy and bulls. We saw another group of bulls grazing on the land.

We journeyed around 6 km to a point where the car ferry crossed over the water, then the boat turned around and made its way back to Saint-Marie-Sur-Mer.

The audio tour was all in French. However, they had written guides available in multiple languages translating everything the guide was saying. So if you don’t speak French, don’t worry –– you I won’t feel like you are missing out.

I enjoyed the boat tour but to be honest I thought I would see a greater of variety of birds.

Heron perched on a stump, with marsh grasses surrounding

If you really want to see the horses and bulls, I would recommend this over the bird park. We did not encounter bulls driving around despite the hilarious signs warning us that bulls and riders might magically appear in town. If you are more interested in migratory and local birds then you can safely skip the boat tour without feeling like you’re missing out.

Wander Saints-Maries-de-la-Mer

Saints-Maries-de-la-Mer was sleepy in the morning. After the boat tour, we wandered around in search of coffee and a pastry. The town was packed with tons of restaurants and shops selling French linens, Camargue rice, and tourist trinkets. After a while all the shops started to seem the same, so we stepped into the cathedral to see the statue of Black Sara.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Saints-Maries-de-la-Mer. But I’m glad I visited if only to see the shrine to Sara at the church.

Saintes Maries de la Mer beach with buildings in the background

The town is named for two women named Mary who were cast out for preaching the gospel. Sara was the maid of one of the women. She was banished, too. The women were put to sea in a boat without oars, and the boat washed up at that spot. Sara is the patron saint of the Romani people and a symbol of hope for all this place people. There were so many moving offerings left to her at the church.

We had booked a fancy lunch reservation to celebrate our wedding anniversary, so we had to head there. Otherwise you could easily spend the morning enjoying the Point Gar, the Camargue boat tour, and lunch in Saints-Maries-de-la-Mer.

See Pink Salt Lakes and Wild Flamingos

The Camargue is one of the largest salt producing regions in France. It’s become social media famous for the pink lakes that are associated with the salt production.

The most famous pink lake is in Aigues-Mortes, which is on the opposite side of the Camargue from Saint-Marie-Sur-Mer. It takes 30 to drive between them. From Aigues-Mortes, it’s around an hour back to Arles.

Salin de Giraud is less well-known than Aigues-Mortes, but it also has pink salt lakes. And it’s a close drive to Arles.

Salin de Giraud has a lookout point where you can look down at the pink salt pans. It’s free to visit. Just look on Google Maps for the Salt Pan Observation Mound pin near Salin de Giraud and turn into the parking lot.

While it’s free to stop at the lookout point, there is an entry fee to walk to the lakes. The mistral was blowing really hard on the day we went, so we decided to skip it and just enjoy the view from the hill.

Pink salt lakes at Salon de Giraud, viewed from the observation mound.

This guide to the pink lakes in France explains everything you need to know to visit the Salin de Giraud salt pans, including Salin de Giraud vs. Aigues-Mortes, the best way to get close to the lakes, and if it’s worth it to visit the pink lakes. Check it out to plan your visit to the pink lakes of France.

Salin de Giraud also happens to be near a beach where wild flamingos gather. We stumbled upon it by chance, but I’m sharing the details so you can benefit from my happy discovery!

We knew that flamingos were drawn to salt water. We hoped we’d see them near the salt lakes but were out of luck. So we followed the lakes around the shore and spotted a dozen flamingos and the water. We spent the next hour driving around toward Plage du Piemanson, a beach, observing wild swans and wild flamingos. We were basically alone, and could spend as much time as we wanted watching the birds.

It was so fun to see the flamingos in the wildlife and watch them swim, eat, and fly. I took hundreds of photos. I’m still organizing them in fact 🙂

With the sun setting, we decided to head back to Arles.

It was a short drive, with a chance to watch the sunset over farm fields.

I didn’t get to see everything that I had wanted to in a Camargue daytrip from Arles, but I came close. I got amazing wildlife photos, learned a bit about the areas history with the Romani people, had an incredible lunch at Michelin starred Chassagnette restaurant, and left feeling certain that if I return to the south of France, I will make my way back to the Camargue. It really is a special area.

Looking for more France vacation ideas? Check out this Provence road trip guide, French Riviera day trip ideas, or city guides for Marseille and Nice. Planning a trip can be overwhelming, so check out my South of France itinerary to get a jump start on your vacation planning!