French Waterways Regions :: The South-East
Provence – Camargue – Rhone

Cruising is the natural way to explore this area between land and sea, from the Camargue Delta northwards along the Rhone and Lez rivers. This beautiful area combines a sunny Mediterranean climate with culture, history and an abundance of nature. Cut off from the sea by sandbars, the reed-covered marshes of the Camargue natural park are teeming with over 350 species of waterbirds. Greater flamingoes, wild black bulls and Camargue horses are just some of the wildlife which the area is famous for. Further inland, the reed marshes give way to river-fed plains, cultivated farmland and historical towns with pleasing mediaeval architecture. ↓ click on images to open gallery The Camargue, Europe’s largest river delta, is fed by two branches of the River Rhone: Grand Rhone and Petit Rhone. Together they water a vast natural area of saltwater lagoons called étangs. The most important of these is the Étang de Thau which is lock-free and large enough for maritime cruises between ancient harbours such as Marseillan, Meze and Sète. Visitors may live like kings on fresh moules marinières and bouziegues oysters, washed down with Muscat wines. Cruisers on the Canal du Rhone at Sète will find themselves transported peacefully along this Mediterranean inland waterway with a single lock. Discover fortified cities such as the 13^th century Aigues-Mortes, Arles and Avignon, City of Popes. The historic towns of Viviers, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Vienne, among others, border the River Rhone which meets the River Saone at Lyon.

Other French Waterway Regions

Detailed Cruising Guides : —R. Rhone—Petit Rhone—C Rhone-Sete—R.Lez