The Camargue is a vast plain south of Arles in Western Provence, between the Mediterranean and the two arms of the Rhône delta. It comprises large brine lagoons or étangs, cut off from the sea by sandbars and encircled by reed-covered marshes which are in turn surrounded by a large cultivated area. Approximately a third of the Camargue is either lakes or marshland. It is western Europe's largest river delta, and also indeed technically an island as it's wholly surrounded by water

The eastern arm of the Rhône delta is called the Grand Rhône; the western one is the Petit Rhône. A further expanse of marshy plain just to the west of the Petit Rhône is the Petite Camargue. There are few towns of any size in the Camargue. Its "capital" is Arles, located at the extreme north of the delta where the Rhône forks into its two principal branches. The only other towns of note are Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, about 45 km to the southwest, which is the site of the annual Roma pilgrimage for the veneration of Saint Sarah, and the medieval fortress-town of Aigues-Mortes on the far western edge, in the Petite Camargue. Tourism is a major source of income. Each year the Camargue is visited by over one million tourists who come to see the unique flora and fauna of the area - the famous Camargue horses, bulls, and birds - including the famous flamingos which provide a marketing brand of the Camargue National Park.

Destinations - European Destinations