Aigues-Mortes, Arles en de Camargue
Aigues-Mortes is a walled city on the marshes of the Petite Camargue, in the Nimes area of Languedoc-Roussillon. Taking a holiday rental in Aigues-Mortes is a completely unique experience, like living inside a castle. The whole village is encased in thick, medieval walls. Access to Aigues-Mortes is by 10 fortified gates. It is the remarkably preserved historical treasures of the town that have propelled it onto UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
What makes this village special?
Things to do in Aigues-Mortes, France
Built in the 13th century, Aigues-Mortes looks much like it did then. If you are travelling to find the best example of medieval military defences, look no further than Aigues-Mortes. The 13th century Tour de Constance is a vast tower in the northern corner of the town, offering stunning views out over the marshland that surrounds Aigues-Mortes, all the way to the purple outline of the mountains in the distance. The Cathedrale Saint Sauveur, Place de la Mairie and Palais de l’Archeveche are all well worth investigating from the safety of a house inside Aigues-Mortes. When you first arrive at an Aigues-Mortes holiday rental, the hour long walk around the town walls is an exceptional way to mark your arrival. There is plenty of shopping to be done within the town walls, and the restaurants inside serve some fantastic local dishes, refraining from the allure of international cuisine, instead, staying true to their roots.
The name Aigues-Mortes means ‘dead waters’, referring to the salt water marshes that surround the town’s walls. There is a small marina in Aigues-Mortes, providing locals and visitors with access to the sea, which due to the shifting sands of the delta, is now a couple of miles from the town. As you sail down the Canal du Rhone which cuts through the marshes, you can see an amazing array of birdlife, in particular the eye-catching pink of flamingos. The beach of Le Grau-du-Roi is within easy access of a holiday villa in Aigues-Mortes, with plenty of space, clean, soft sand and clear water. There is even a small, but hugely interesting Seaquarium at the end of the beach.
The Camargue Regional Park is a wonderful park, also listed by UNESCO on the world heritage list due to the unique ecological conditions within the park. Encompassing over 350,000acres of wetland, salt marshes and pastures at the mouth of the Rhone, the park is an excellent place to walk, cycle and ride the beautiful Camargue horses that are bred so beautifully in the area.
Places to stay on holiday in Aigues-Mortes, France
Nimes is home to some of the most impressive Roman monuments in the whole of Europe, and although much of Nimes’ appeal lies in the ancient attractions, there is a definite modern appeal too. Nimes is an exuberant and exciting city to visit, with many fantastic restaurants, galleries and bars to enjoy.
