The Camargue
	Because of the huge quantities of silt being washed down the River Rhone the Languedoc coast is constantly changing. The silt gets washed along the coast and over the centuries has formed the various Etangs or salt-water lakes.
The Camargue consists of salt-water lagoons and marshes inhabited by flocks of flamingos, and is famous for its wild bulls and the white horses that roam freely. Once a year the bulls and horses are rounded up by the Camargue’s own version of the cowboys called Gardiannes. Throughout the year the Gardiannes organise bull fighting, where the object is to snatch a red rosette that is attached between the bull’s horns.
The Camargue has an unusual claim to fame, in that it produces more rice than some far eastern countries more noted for the consumption of rice It is possible to explore the Camargue by boat.
Aigues Mort
Aigues Mort (dead water) is known as the gateway to the Camargue. Aigues Mort was once a sea port but because of silt being washed along the coast, has finished up inland. Covering 16 hectares the town of Aigues Mortes is surrounded by a thick wall, 11 meters high and with 20 towers. the town was used as a departure port by the Crusaders to the Holy lands. On the Constance Tower, with a height of 30 meters there is a lighthouse, that served as a warning light for shipping but was also able to communicate with the Tower of Magne at Nimes. This was a strong Protestant town. It served as a prison after the revocation of the Edit of Nantes in 1685. If you decide to walk around the complete circle of its ramparts, you will need about ¾ of an hour, the town have remained untouched since the 13th Century. A specialty of the town is its Rosé wine.
St Maries de la Mer
Near to Aigues Mort is the village of St Maries de la Mer, a coastal town. It is said that the three Mary’s, present at the crucifixion fled here, accompanied by the servant Sarah. Sarah has been adopted as the patron saint of gypsies and between the 23 and the 25th May there is a Fete where Gypsies congregate in the town and on the 25th after an all night vigil a statue of Sarah is carried into the waves.
La Grand Motte
La Grand Motte lies close to Aigues Mort, and is one of the new coastal resorts built along the Languedoc coast since the 1960s. It is probably one of the most sophisticated, with a world class golf course. Its buildings are very futuristic and are said to have been inspired by the shapes of the Cevenne Mountains. Here there is a Casino and the Marina houses over a 1000 yachts.