The Camargue is a beautiful area made up of large lakes, salt pans and lagoons - an area that is rich in history and tradition. Most of it is a regional park that is home to many species of birds and animals including the Flamingo, Egret and the famous white Camargue horses and black Camargue bulls. Inland, there are huge salt pans where sea salt is harvested during the summer when the pans dry out.

The summer warmth and marshy wetlands also mean that the area is suitable for growing rice and paddy fields can be found across the region. The rice grown here is known as Camargue Red rice it is a speciality rice with a distinct nutty flavour and firm texture.

Known as the wild west of France, the Carmargue is home to a semi wild breed of bull which is much prized for its meat and also sold for bullfighting. The bulls are black in colour and are tended by cowboys known as the Gardians.

On the edge of the beach there is an arena where there is bullfighting throughout the summer, although, unlike Spanish tradition, in France the bull is not killed.

The Gardians ride the famous white Camargue horses which are used to round up the bulls each year. It is an ancient breed of horse, dating back to Celtic times, which is only found in this region of France. As adults the horses are white but they are born dark brown or even black, they are a hardy breed well known for their stamina, temperament and agility. Although small in size they are capable of carrying a good weight, many of the horses roam semi wild across the countryside.

When to visit the Camargue

There are things to see and do all year round but try to avoid the Mistral. The Mistral is a freezing cold but dry wind unique to the Mediterranean coast that can blow at a tremendous speed and last for days on end. The Mistral is caused by a complex series of weather conditions and is most common during the late winter months.

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