Camargue day trip from Montpellier: Flamingos and saltworks

Walk among flamingos and salt mountains in a single day

An eight-hour guided day trip from Montpellier takes you into the Camargue wetlands to spot flamingos at the Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, explore the medieval walled city of Aigues-Mortes, and visit Saintes Marie de la Mer on the Mediterranean coast. The small train through the saltworks (April to October) or the Espiguette Lighthouse (October to April) anchors the afternoon, and a guide in English or French stays with the group throughout. Lunch is your choice: eat at a local restaurant in Saintes Marie de la Mer or bring a picnic to the beach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Camargue2h
2. Pont de Gau Ornithological Park1h · entry included
3. Aigues-Mortes Saltworks2h · entry included

Explore Camargue and nearby villages

• Observe Camargue horses and bulls
• Walk trails to see flamingos
• Visit Saintes Marie de la Mer village
• Walk Aigues-Mortes city ramparts
• Ride small train through saltworks

The experience

Eight hours means the day holds together without rushing. You leave Montpellier in an air-conditioned vehicle with a small group and a guide, heading into the flat, open landscape where Camargue horses and bulls graze along small roads. The route itself is part of the point: these are the roads that let you actually see the animals and the wetland habitat they move through, not just pass by it.

The Pont de Gau Ornithological Park is where you walk the trails on foot. Flamingos are the emblem of the Camargue, and the park's ponds and marshes are where you get close to them and the other birds that live here. After that comes Saintes Marie de la Mer, a village on the Mediterranean with the church of Saintes Marie de la Mer at its center (the building with the black virgin that draws pilgrims), and narrow streets lined with local shops and restaurants. This is where you stop for lunch. The guide can point you toward a typical restaurant, or you can eat the picnic you brought and sit by the sea.

Aigues-Mortes is a medieval walled city, and you walk its ramparts and alleys, passing the square where the statue of Saint Louis stands and stopping at Notre Dame des Sablons church. The town is famous for its fougasse, a local pastry, and the shops sell it. Then comes the saltworks, the real highlight. From April 1 to October 15, you ride a small train through the salt pools, which are dyed pink by algae and minerals. You climb to the top of a camelle, an actual mountain of salt that rises from the landscape, and the light plays across the pools in ways that change as you move. If you're traveling October 15 to April 1, the saltworks close and the train ride is replaced by the Espiguette Lighthouse, which stands alone in the dunes of a wild beach. You climb the steps to the top for a 360-degree view of the region.

What’s included

• The guide throughout the day in English or French.
• entrance to the Pont de Gau Ornithological Park.
• the small train tour through the Aigues-Mortes saltworks (April 1 to October 15) or entry to the Espiguette Lighthouse (October 15 to April 1).
• visits to the medieval city of Aigues-Mortes and Saintes Marie de la Mer.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.

Options for this experience

2 options

Aigues-Mortes salt versionGuide in English or French · Available from 24 Mar 2027Trip to the salt marshes: Explore the Aigues-Mortes salt marshes on the little train to learn about this craft and the pink tones of the salt flats

Headlight version EspiguetteGuide in English or French · 09:00Phare de l'Espiguette: From October through April, the salt works are shut and instead you can visit the Espiguette lighthouse and its museum.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesWednesdayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by WISUD

Is this one for you?Choose the April-to-October departure if you want the small train through the pink salt pools and the full saltworks experience. Pick the October-to-April option if you prefer the Espiguette Lighthouse and don't mind the saltworks being closed. Either way, the eight-hour loop holds all four stops (the bird park, two villages, and the salt or lighthouse site) without backtracking, so a single day covers the Camargue's most distinctive landscapes without feeling fractured.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What birds will I actually see at Pont de Gau?

Flamingos are the main draw and the emblem of the Camargue, and the park's trails put you close to them. The wetlands also hold other bird species, and what you see depends on the season and the water levels in the ponds.

Is the small train ride through the saltworks included?

Yes, the small train through the Aigues-Mortes saltworks is included from April 1 to October 15. If you travel between October 15 and April 1, when the saltworks close, the train ride is replaced by entry to the Espiguette Lighthouse and a climb to the top for views across the dunes and beach.

Do I have to eat at a restaurant, or can I bring my own food?

Lunch is not included in the price, and you choose. You can eat at a restaurant in Saintes Marie de la Mer, or bring a picnic and eat on the beach. The guide will let you know where to stop.

How much walking is involved?

You walk the trails at Pont de Gau Ornithological Park, stroll through the alleys and ramparts of Aigues-Mortes, and explore Saintes Marie de la Mer on foot. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the walking is spread across the eight hours, not concentrated in one stretch.

What happens if I travel in winter?

From October 15 to April 1, the saltworks close and the small train does not run. Instead, you visit the Espiguette Lighthouse, which stands in the dunes of a wild beach. You climb the steps to the top for a 360-degree view of the region, and the museum at the base tells the story of this unique coastal landscape.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

The air-conditioned vehicle and guide are included for the full day. The tour departs from Montpellier. If you need pickup from your hotel, confirm that detail when you book, as public transportation options are available nearby if you need to reach the departure point.