The Camargue

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Geo: 43.5167, 4.56667

The Camargue is a huge delta plain that surrounds the Rhone River where it meets the Mediterranean Ocean. It is a National Park covering some 85,000 hectares. Although many types of crops are grown in the Carmargue, the area is particularly known for it's rice.

The Camargue is famous for it's wildlife, being a habitat for racoons, otters, beavers and many different types of birds.

After walking around the town of Saintes Maries de la Mer and having some lunch, we visited an Ornithological Park set in many hectares of marshland. The park is known for it's pink flamingos, which you can get close to in several areas of the park.

The Camargue is also known for it's wild horses and wild bulls. The Camargue horses are renowned, being white in colour and no more than 10 hands high, with stamina, sureness of foot and intelligence. The Camargue bulls are still used in the many bull fights that take place in Spain and France.

After that, it was off to the beach for a swim. The swim was a great way to cool off after a hot day.

We drove home after the swim, and had some dinner at home.

At present, there is a Horse Show on each night at Beaucaire, just opposite where we are staying. There are all kinds of events, including dressage, trick riding and a fast game of horse basketball. After dinner, we went over to watch the events, and the skill of the riders and horses was great to watch. We watched the events until 10.15pm, and then had to leave to come home to pack up, as we are leaving Beaucaire tomorrow.

Au revoir.

Jim and Kim

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Photos

Saintes Maries de la Mer
A view of the town looking toward the ocean from the roof of the Church.

Traditional Camargue House
Note the brush roofing.

Flamingoes in Flight
Just taking off.

Camargue Horses
Note the small stature of the horses and their white coats. The foals are born brown and remain that colour until around four years old.

Horseketball
A very fast game which is a combination of Polocrosse and Basketball.

Comments

[Shaz]

Another great photo. Hope the rest of trip goes well and Jim hope you got photo of THE CAR, safe driving. Only a couple of wks before you arrive back at the airport.