Carmague Natural Park

Posted by donna (Portland, OR) on 02/15/25 12:09 AM

We will be in France in June during our month-long trip that includes Switzerland, France, and Italy. We will be staying 4 nights in either Avignon or Arles (still undecided on that). We would like to visit the Carmague Natural Park to see the land and the animals, especially the flamingos. Have you been there? We won't have a car. I am especially interested in hearing if someone has toured through the park by bike or perhaps done a guided bike tour of the park. My searching has not given me a clear sense of the best way to see this natural area. Looking forward to your thoughts.

Donna

Posted by JoLui

France Southwest - Occitanie

02/15/25 12:48 AM

3871 posts

The Camargue regional natural park website is:

https://www.parc-camargue.fr/

Just to clarify that it is Camargue, and not Carmogue

It's not to give you a French lesson, it's just because mistakes in names can lead to confusion about places, and a GPS will never find a place called Carmogue

Posted by donna OP

Portland, OR

02/15/25 01:02 AM

106 posts

Thanks. Just a typo. I did see the website.

Posted by Bon Voyage!

West Coast

02/15/25 01:14 AM

469 posts

I wanted to see this region, also- caveat- it was at least 15 years ago and some memories are hazy but since I am a teacher it would have been in July. I am sure if you check Trip Advisor or similar resources you can find some tours, being without a car. Bikes sound fun!
I remember an open- top jeep, a small group and translating the French for my husband. We did see the flamingos and also stopped at a bull fighting ranch where the bulls were raised/sold. I'm a vegan but it was a local family and their demonstration of riding and etc, especially with children of the third generation, was amazing.
I imagine there are English- language tours and it would be a bonus if you could see the salt evaporation or red- pink tinted water.
I don't remember being horribly plagued by mosquitoes, but it is a swampy terrain and you will be there in summer, so you likely would want protection of some kind.
I hope you find a great tour- good luck! It was a really special place and also special to visit a less- touristy part of the country (at least then!)

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

02/15/25 09:08 AM

11822 posts

A bit of added info: the petite Camargue is on the west side with the famous salt works next to Aiguës Mortes. Definitely try to visit a ranch that gives demonstrations of horse and bull skills. Google manade visite to find one.

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

02/15/25 12:02 PM

36768 posts

it has been several years from when we visited by car. Plenty of birds, and we, unlike the other post, found the mosquitoes or actually they found us. A fairly large place and some views from the not well paved roads are obstructed by high beds of reeds and grasses. A few of the roads were tunnel-like because of the narrowness and the high vegetation. The road itself got little shade so if I were on bikes I'd carry plenty water. You can go for quite a distance without any facilities.

Happy biking