A breathtaking drive to the Petite Camargue and Aigues-Mortes

We drove for four hours down to the Camargue area through the rest of the Parc National des Cevennes which we had merely glimpsed the day before.    It was just stunning and we oooohed and ahhhhed all the way.    It was all the better for being unplanned and so unexpected.      The route comprised countless hairpin bends so I was glad Jeff was at the wheel and our wee caravan arrived safely at the Petite Camargue.

The Petite Camargue is the western region of the wider regional parc Camarges on the south coast between the Mediterranean and the delta of the Rhone River.    It is a huge flat plain with many, many lagoons or 'étangs', (salt lakes - salt being a local speciality) cut off from the sea by sandbars and reedy marshland.      The marshes are famous for the worst mosquitoes in France (yes I have been bitten already - ouch), the Camarguais horses roaming wild and most of all the great flamingos seen everywhere.     The pink flamingo is one of 340 species of birds to be seen here in this wonderful nature reserve.     
We are in a Yellohvillage camp site (yes correct spelling).    It is super and has everything we need.   Not sure I would like it so much in high season though - could be like a big Butlins-in-the-sun.     However it is spotless and with modern well appointed facilities (doubt they would welcome bikers!).
ps nothing against bikers really.

Went into the local town Aigues-Mortes - a medieval fortress steeped in centuries of history.   The name means dead or stagnant water but that does not reflect this charming bustling little town which we thoroughly enjoyed exploring.     Then headed over to the vast and empty (nearly) Espiguette Beach and had a lovely laze reading our books, gazing at passing boats and people watching.....   so lovely to be on an unspoiled beach.... 

I saw a ship a sailing....

Next day we drove over to Ste Maries de la Mer which is famous in the region for its gypsy gatherings twice a year when Romany people from all over the world make a pilgrimage to worship Saint Marie their patron saint.      We were disappointed at how grubby, run down and litter strewn it was.   There was a market full of romany style bling which was great to browse except for the rubbish blowing around and the shifty look on many faces...  Such a shame.    
Decided to run up to Arles the capital of the region and it was not much better - bit of a dismal day not helped by dreary weather.   Still it was fabulous to spot the many, many pink flamingos and white horses in the marsh lands.