France The Carmargue
 

We will be staying a few days in Aigues Mortes in the Carmargue in the middle of September, then moving on to Valras Plage near Beziers/Adge are we likely to have problems with Mosquitos ?

Are there any particular things or places anybody would recommend we see/visit ?

I never got to do this when I was in Aigues Mortes because I just went for the day: You can take a boat into the marshes and see the horses. Also, there might be local festivals going on. Those are fun.

I found Aigues Mortes to be interesting by itself. Walk the walls for the feel of the old city.

One think I do remember is that the public toilets there close for lunch. You don't want to know.

Mosquitos? I would bring repellent just in case.

I've been in Aigues-Mortes quite a few times at all times of year and was never bothered by mosquitos - and I'm a mosquito magnet. I've never been there in the evening, though, and that's when the mosquitos in the Camargue tend to be out in full force, so I'd be prepared with repellent.

It has, to me, one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe. I just love that town.

Do stop at the wayside stands all over the Camargue selling the red rice and the sand wine and other local products. And if you can find it, go have dinner at La Telline in Sambuc one evening. You literally eat dinner in the dining room of the chef's little house. He'll cook you whatever he caught that day (it was fire-roasted eel and pumpkin puree last time I was there). It's magical and unique. And if his dog Idee is still alive, you are in for an amazing treat (Cigalechanta and PBProvence can corroborate this, but I'm not giving out the details).

Yes the dog :) We stayed in Aigues- Mortes at the Hotel Tempiers on the street near the Camargue restaurant where we were seranated by a gypsy king wanna be. I like that place very much. There's a knive shop where you can buy the famed opinel knife for a decnt price. I bought my fisherman jelly sandels there made in France, others are made in china and not soft. (but where later stolen)

john44

When we were in this area we detoured to Les Saintes-Maries de-la Mer. This is where, acording to legend, Mary, the sister of Virgin Mary, mother of the apostles, John and James,and Mary Magdalen, along with their servant Sarah, landed when fleeing persecution, from the Holy Land.

Sarah in supposed to be the patron saint of the gypies. There is a church with a statue and a lot of artifacts which we found interesting. We also had a pleasant lunch at the beach.

The road to and from the fishing village, passes through the marshland where you can see the black fighting bulls grazing.

PS-We didn't encounter any mosquitos!

Jj

oops, the D

Well one of the most popular things with French to do here is to go to one of several 'mas' (plural ?) or farms in the wild Camargue and take a pack horse tour out into the wilds to see the fabled wild horses of the Camargue.

I went several years ago with my son and we both loved it. Something very different

We were driving and just stopped by in August so reservations not needed it seems. Just north of the gypsy fair town on the coast - can't think of name - famous town where Gypsies make their famous gatherings.

Stes-Maries-de-la-Mer

We've been in the Camargue a couple of times, including last year in September, and we <b>did</b> encounter quite a few mosquitos.

I'd recommend wearing some good insect repellant.

It's a fascinating area!

we've been lucky. We visited the Camargue a half dozen times and never had a problem but you are more likely to encounter them where the flamingos wade because those nasty things lay their eggs in water. Don't wear fragrance. It attracts them.

Thanks for all the information sound very interesting we are staying in the hotel Canal.

Think we will take Mosquito repellant.

Where would we book up to go on the boat trip through Marshes.

Few years ago we spent a week at Grau du Roi, small fishing village in the Camarque..We did not have any problems with the mosquitos, I was there in July..

Hi kismetchimera

What is Grau-du-Roi like is it worth visiting for a couple of hours or more ?

Yes John is worth to spend some time there..Grau du Roi is a very charming fishing village..It has a very large sandy beach also, so bring your bathing suit.
Here is the web page, it is in French but there are few pictures also.

http://www.vacances-en-camargue.com/

I took a night time picture of the village..
http://i10.tinypic.com/4pp1ops.jpg