Camargue (France)

Camargue is a natural region situated south of Arles, France, between the two arms of Rhone River delta (Grand Rhone and Petit Rhone) and the Mediterranean Sea. With an area of more than 930 km2 (360 ml2), Camargue is the largest river delta in western Europe.

The boundaries of Camargue are constantly revised by Rhone River as it transports large quantities of mud downstream – around 20 million m3 per year. Administratively Camargue lies within Bouches-du-Rhone department (named appropriately "Mouths of the Rhone"). It covers parts of the territory of communes of Arles – the biggest commune in Metropolitan France, Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer – the 2nd largest – and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhone. Petite Camargue (little Camargue) is a further expanse of marshy plain, just to the west of Petit Rhone, in the department of Gard.

On December 1, 1986, Camargue was designated Ramsar site (as "Wetland of International Importance"). Officially established in 1970 as regional park and nature reserve, Parc Naturel Regional de Camargue covers a total of 820 km2 (317 ft2). The territory is some of the most protected and most natural in all of Europe. The roadside museum provides background on the history of the area, as well as on its flora and fauna.