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FlamingoesSalt marshThe Camargue Regional Park  One of the many Unesco world heritage sites in Provence, the Camargue is a huge area (about 350,000 acres) of wetlands, pastures and salt flats formed by the delta of the Rhône river.  The region has a unique ecological balance and is home to many pink flamingoes.  In the grassy pastures you will find sheep and small white horses grazing, these are ridden in the area by "gardians" a traditional part of the local community.  For more information visit the official website (french only) of the Parc Naturel Régional de Camargue.

Musée du RoustyMusée de Rousty -   this farmhouse (mas) is built of thick masonry to keep the inside cool in summer.  The sheep-pen has been converted into the Musée Camarguais. There is a also a discovery trail through the countryside surrounding the mas.

Nearby and also worth visiting is Le Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau located 4km north of Ste Marie-de-la-Mer on the D570.  Tel: 04 90 97 82 62 for opening hours.  This is a great place for bird lovers but is also designed with the children in mind providing various nature trails, hides and descriptive plaques explaining the wildlife.  The only problem that we encountered when we went was the midges, even so this Parc was very good.		 Our favourite attractions in the Camargue:

        - Aigues-Mortes
        - Beach at Le Grau-du-Roi
        - Méjanes
        - Musée de Rousty
        - Salt Train
        - Saintes Maries Beach

Other third party websites:
- La Camargue
- Picture book of the Camargue
External websites offering information on Provence:
- Provence Web Tourist Guide
- Provence Beyond
- Provence Guideweb
- Ardèche Tourist Guide		 Chosen by our children:
     - Top Attractions in Provence
     - Top Ten Holiday destinations in France
You may be interested in an article by Kathy Wood about entertaining kids in Provence - see it here.