Photo : Jess & Peter / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Étang de Vaccarès
The largest body of water in the Camargue, the Étang de Vaccarès extends over about 6,500 hectares within the Camargue national nature reserve, created as early as 1927 to protect this exceptional environment. Its shallow waters, whose salinity varies with the seasons, communicate with the sea and the other lagoons of the delta through a complex network of channels.
This mosaic of environments, between open water, reedbeds and surrounding salt steppe, makes it a favoured stopover for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds each year. Flamingos, grey herons, avocets and ducks crowd its shores, making the lake one of the most renowned ornithological observation sites in Europe.
Direct access to the lake's shores remains limited to preserve the tranquillity of the wildlife, but several observatories and developed paths, notably around La Capelière, let you approach its surroundings without disturbing the birds. Autumn and winter, a period of heavy use by migrants, are among the best times to visit.
