8 unusual weekends in love in Camargue

Do you need sunshine in a cool setting? Put the sails to the South of France during an unusual weekend in Camargue.

Regional natural park since 1967, the Camargue is one of the most beautiful places France . Landscapes of character between lagoons and marshes, villages full of history, huge white sandy beaches await you in this destination which seems ideal for an unusual weekend in love.

Often compared to the south of United States The Camargue seduces by its exotic side. You will find fields populated with black bulls, ranches that house white horses...

In addition to its unprecedented panoramas, the region also has an incomparable historical, cultural and religious capital. Did you know that some scenes of great Western American films were shot in Camargue?

Prepare your luggage, Wanderlix invites you to discover this beautiful region during an unusual weekend in Camargue.

1. Horse riding

The journey starts with Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer , iconic city of the region and ideal destination for an unusual weekend in Camargue. The city is essentially known for its religious significance.

Indeed the Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer are a place of pilgrimage major in France for Gypsies, Manouches and Gypsies worldwide. This is where they come to celebrate every month of May the Black Virgin.

To discover the village and its surroundings, Wanderlix offers a hotel in Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer that promotes an ultra-popular activity in the region: horse riding. Enjoy a 100% natural and ecological session that guarantees breathtaking landscapes.

Certainly the journey may be a little enlivened but the horses are erected and have the habit of walking tourists throughout the year... there is no fear to have! proudly pour your canasson like a cowboy Far-west , you are on your way to discover the wild Camargue!

After a day full of emotions, choose from the hotel’s restaurant: the chef cuisine of local products from the market and is inspired by local recipes. The goal? Immerse yourself in the Camarguaise atmosphere and discover its flavours.

2. In painting

Direction the city of Arles to discover the portrait of one of his greatest celebrities: the Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. Arles was only a step in the life of the painter but remains a notable period of his career. Van Gogh lived only 15 months in the Provençal city, but painted more than three hundred works.

Van Gogh settled in this region because the Provençal landscapes reminded him of his country of origin. Wanderlix offers a tour that brings together the main paintings of Van Gogh and the places in which he stayed such as the asylum of Saint-Paul de Mausole in Saint-Rémy de Provence.

Discover a new aspect of the Camargue, historical, cultural and sentimental. Between visits and photo breaks, enter the time of a moment in the skin or in the life of the Dutch melancholic painter.

Hotel Arles Plaza in the city centre

Coupled with this expedition, Wanderlix offers you to stay in a very charming hotel, ideal for an unusual weekend in Camargue. Its pool and amenities will charm you.

In addition, the Hotel Arles Plaza offers its visitors a Heritage Pass that allows you to visit the must-sees of the city. A cultural stay in an idyllic setting, what more?

3. Over the water

For an even more disappointing setting, choosing to excentre also seems to be a good option. An apartment on the canal appears as an ideal place for a romantic weekend. Enjoy a comfortable accommodation, close to amenities and especially a five-minute walk from the ancient monuments of Arlais.

Take the time to disconnect in a disappointing setting, away from the tumults of the city, while remaining close to the centre: the ideal compromise. In the evening, an aperitif on the back terrace of the barge is required.

Focus activity: visit the city of Arles and the most beautiful beaches of Camargue

The day, Wanderlix offers you a unique activity: discover the most beautiful beaches of Camargue and visit the city of Arles accompanied by a local guide, the fine connoisseur of regional anecdotes.

Between urbanism and nature, you can explore the backs of a city full of secrets and history, observe the different species of birds in the ornithological park of Pont de Gau or contemplate the Camarguais landscapes and the local fauna of the regional park.

4. Kitchen

It is impossible to stay in Camargue without tasting local specialties. So, what better than enjoying an unusual weekend in Camargue in a luxury hotel welcoming a starred gourmet restaurant? Relax in the SPA or the fabulous pool Hotel & Spa Jules César which promises an unforgettable stay.

In addition to spacious and luxurious rooms, the hotel also offers a meal in its famous gourmet restaurant in the region. Your half and yourself would be entitled to an exceptional dinner composed of three refined dishes. All ingredients are local, coming directly from the market.

Focus activity: a cooking internship with a graduate chef

In parallel, towards the Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer for one culinary internship about three hours during which you will learn to cook the traditional dishes of the region. Meet in a beautiful setting near the Camarguais ponds in a professional kitchen.

You will be accompanied by Chief Roger Merlin, a graduate of the Paris hotel school. Founder of the Conservatoire Grand Sud des Cuisines et formateur agréés, he will introduce you to Provencal cuisine and aromatic herbs. With his team of chefs, a chocolatier and nutrition experts, you are in good hands!

Aromates, olive oil, ïoli, stuffed niçois, paëlla, caillette du Var and others specialities occitanes will have no secrets for you!

5. La Camargue fleurie

To discover the surroundings during an unusual weekend in Camargue, try a trip from Arles that takes you to the main Lavender fields of the region. A flagship plant of the terroir, lavender is renowned for its very pleasant odor which it is worth to be an ingredient of many beauty products.

In addition to its olfactory virtues, lavender also owes its fame to its violet color: a lavender field is a true haven of beauty. Take advantage of the Wanderlix tour to admire these incomparable landscapes and fill your Provencal fresh air lungs.

During your trip, you will also have the chance to learn a little more about this plant in the southeast of France thanks to the visit of the Lavender Museum that retraces the history of Lavender through a very complete exhibition that includes photos, videos and even demonstration of distillation.

The unusual accommodation cut from heart: one night in an old chapel

For a romantic stay, Wanderlix has uncovered a small corner of paradise: Mas La Chapelle! Located a few kilometres from Arles, this property is worth a visit. Indeed, this chapel built in the sixteenth century is a former Priory of the Knights of Malta built on the path of Santiago de Compostela .

Today renovated, it has twenty-three fully equipped rooms and offers services that promise you a pleasant stay. On the programme: swimming pool, spa, jogging in the park of five hectares, tennis lessons... In the middle of nature, this accommodation will allow you to recharge your batteries and recharge your time for a weekend.

The owners of the establishment were able to maintain the authenticity of the site (especially by the decoration that is an architectural pearl) while bringing a touch of modernity by providing quality services.

6. Lesson

Friends fish lovers of all kinds, this stay is for you! Direction les Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer, fabulous village by the Mediterranean for an unforgettable fishing day. Embark on a boat about 10m long and go to the "traque" to the fish.

Accompanied by local fishermen and seasoned, you will discover during this day the joys of this activity that requires patience and concentration. Indeed, the fishes are numerous but still need to bite the hook!

Your attendants will teach you different techniques so that you can bring a tuna, a marlin, a swordfish, or who knows, even... a shark!

The unusual accommodation close to the heart : an inn

To rest after this day rich in emotions, what better than staying in a swallow hostel. Located in Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer, Auberge Cavaliere du Pont des Bannes offers services that combine comfort and originality.

During your stay you can feed the horses, relax at the spa, at the pool, at the jacuzzi, take a sunbath on your sun lounger by the water, nap in your 100% ecological gardian hut... That good things that await you in sum for an unusual weekend in Camargue in a most charming bucolic setting.

7. La Camargue Tzigane

In the heart of the Arlaise countryside, discover a characteristic accommodation of the region: the gypsy-inspired trailer. Indeed, as explained above, the Camargue is famous for the Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer, a small village that, for generations, has been a pilgrimage site for the Gitanes and Gypsies.

So what better to immerse yourself in the terroir than to stay in a typical Camarguais accommodation? In addition, the trailer, located not far from Arles, is surrounded by a park of five hectares, guaranteeing a relaxing stay in a bucolic setting.

Focus activity: a safari in 4×4 in the Camarguais Natural Park

To learn more about regional fauna and flora, Wanderlix offers a safari in 4×4 half a day in the Camarguais Natural Park . Immerse yourself in this extraordinary environment and observe around you the biodiversity so rich, clean to the Camargue.

What's waiting for you? Breathtaking landscapes, between land and salt, sea and lagoons in which animals are complacent and live in harmony with each other. Thus, the pink flamingo closes the black bull who shares his territory with the white horse. During the tour, a guide will also trace the history of the region.

8. Between sea and salt