We set off this morning for The Camargue, which is the delta
of the Rhone River. The Rhone divides into two branches, Le Grand Rhone and Le
Petit Rhone, about 10 kms from the Mediterranean. In between the two branches
are marshy swamps, wetlands and farmland. The Camargue is home to the Camargue horses,
the Camargue bulls, flamingos, boars and the Roma people (gypsies). Most of France’s rice
is produced here, and also salt.
The Camargue has two main towns and we went to one, Saintes-Maries-De-Mer.
Legend has it that St Mary Salome and St Mary Jacobe, mothers of some of the Apostles
fled Palestine with an Egyptian slave girl, Sarah and landed in this area and stayed.
They started the “Christianisation” of France. Sarah helped the poor by giving
alms, and is now the Patron Saint of the Roma. Roma from all over Europe gather here every May to celebrate her feast
day
When we parked the car we looked across the water and saw
a huge flock of flamingos. Well, that made my day! They were standing in the water,
most had their heads tucked under their wings, occasionally raising them for a
stretch or a look around I suppose, and then back to the snoozing. The flamingos
were a very pale pink, almost white; perhaps this has something to do with the time
of year or season or age. I’m not sure – it’s something to Google.
We took a 90 minute boat trip that travelled out to sea
for about 15 minutes - so now I can say I have sailed the Mediterranean – and then
up the channel. It was fascinating seeing the fishing boats, sailing boats,
yachts and all sorts of crafts, but nothing too flash. There are scores of little
jetties along the channel, with shacks attached and boats. There were several
huge fishing nets hoisted near the shore. It looks like they lower the nets and
scoop up the fish and shellfish and whatever else comes up.
Along the way we saw several huge herons, and other water
birds and silvery fish that jumped high out of the water and then “belly
flopped” back in. At a couple of points along the way, the Camargue bulls came
down to the water line, accompanied by the “Gardian”, the cowboy/girl, and
several of the white Camargue horses. The horses are born black or brown and
turn white as they age. By the age of 8 years they are white, and they are very
hardy usually living for 20-30 years. The Camargue bulls are used to play a game
in the bull fighting arena where ribbons and tassels are pulled off their horns
by the “Razateur”. The bulls are smaller than the Spanish bulls and their
horns point up.
It was beautiful on the water, the sky was bright blue
and the water was calm.
We had brought a picnic and ate it watching the flamingos.
We drove along the other side of the Camargue and made our way back to St Remy,
and rested before deciding what to do for dinner. Last night’s self catered
dinner in the gazebo was very enjoyable and we will do the same tonight. We will
accompany the food with some lovely Provence wines.
It is our last day in Provence, as tomorrow we leave for the
French Riviera. Oh, yeah!
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