National park · France
Camargue Natural ParkParc naturel de la Camargue
Visit Camargue for a half‑day birdwatching walk (free) or a 30‑km bike ride on the Digue de Mer (rent bike ~€15); go early in spring or autumn to avoid heat and crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
930 km² (359 sq mi)359 sq mi (930 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Mar–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
At a glance
- Country
- France
- Area
- 930 km² (359 sq mi)359 sq mi (930 km²)
- Approximately 930 km² of wetlands, lagoons and marshes (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Arles
Camargue Natural Park protects the Rhône delta’s wetlands, brine ponds and salt marshes, supporting over 400 bird species, flamingos, Camargue horses and traditional cattle, with flat trails for walking, biking and horseback riding.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
930 km² (359 sq mi)359 sq mi (930 km²) · national park since 1970
Approximately 930 km² of wetlands, lagoons and marshes (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Arles.
Why go
- Birdwatching on flat wetlands with over 400 species.
- Ride the Digue de Mer coastal bike path for sea views and wildlife.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, fewer tourists.
- FebCool, good for walking.
- MarFlamingos arrive, pleasant weather.
- AprPeak bird activity, mild temps.
- MayWarm, dry, many birds.
- JunHeat rises, insects increase.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugPeak heat, mosquitoes.
- SepCooler, still many birds.
- OctMild, fewer crowds.
- NovCool, good for cycling.
- DecMild, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingos (greater flamingo)Mar–Jun · Large colonies in brine ponds. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Camargue horsesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various waders (herons, egrets, avocets)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Arles
Car or bus north 30 km (19 mi); follow signs to Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer, then follow D69 to park entrances.Car or bus north 19 mi (30 km); follow signs to Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer, then follow D69 to park entrances.
45 min
Open the page →
From Marseille
Train to Avignon (≈1 h) then car or bus 45 min north to park gate.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Avignon
Car or regional bus (line 31) north 45 km (28 mi) to Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer, then follow signs.Car or regional bus (line 31) north 28 mi (45 km) to Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer, then follow signs.
1 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer visitor centre | Information desk, maps, bike hire, short bird trail. | Open daily 9 am–6 pm. |
| Digue de Mer coastal path | Flat paved bike and walking route along the lagoon. | Free, open year‑round. |
| Parc ornithologique du Pont de Gau | Specialised birdwatching trail with hides. | Paid entry, see fees. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the Camargue delta.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (general access) | Free | person | Free; some guided trails may charge. |
| Bike rental (30 km Digue de Mer) | EUR 12–18 (≈ US$14–25) | day | Check local shops for exact price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
General access no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Must be on a leash; keep away from nesting birds.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park; stay in nearby towns.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; only use designated barbecue areas.
- Feeding wildlife
- Strictly forbidden; may attract predators.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotels in Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer
Range from budget inns to boutique hotels, 5‑15 km (9.3 mi) from main entrances.Range from budget inns to boutique hotels, 5‑9.3 mi (15 km) from main entrances.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Mosquitoes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre and short bird trail are wheelchair‑friendly.
- Longer bike path has uneven sections; not fully accessible.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned inns; support regional agriculture.
- Do not litter; use provided waste bins.
- Choose bike rentals that use electric assistance to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Camargue?
General access to the Camargue natural park is free; some specialised bird hides charge a small fee (≈€5‑10).
What are the best hikes in Camargue?
The short birdwatching trail at Pont de Gau (1‑2 h) and the flat 30 km Digue de Mer coastal path (walk or bike) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Camargue?
Spring (March‑May) offers the richest birdlife and mild weather; autumn (September‑October) is also pleasant with fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the Camargue park?
No. Camping is prohibited; stay in nearby towns such as Saintes‑Maries‑de‑la‑Mer.
Is a guide required for birdwatching?
Not required for the general trails, but a guide can enhance sightings at the Pont de Gau hide.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go