Located between the city of Arles and Nîmes, the Gard commune of Saint-Gilles has a remarkable tourist heritage. It is an ideal destination for a vacation that is both enriching and unforgettable. Set off to mast rake the wild beauty of the Camargue. Follow the history of Saint-Gilles during a getaway in this Languedoc town.
Focus on the natural and cultural heritage of Saint-Gilles
As a stopover on the roads to Santiago de Compostela, Saint-Gilles-du-Gard takes on major historical importance. Reach the town from Nîmes via the D42 departmental road, and as soon as you enter the region you will smell the scents of the Camargue. Its horizons, formed of marshes and reeds where pink flamingos live, are truly exotic. In the town, discover the historic center, starting with the immense abbey church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This 12th-century Romanesque monument is a major place of pilgrimage. On the same square, you will find the museum of the Maison Romane, which houses ethnographic and archaeological collections. To combine cultural and natural discovery, head for the castle of Espeyran. Set in a 13-hectare park, this castle promises one of the most pleasant. Relive the daily life of the bourgeoisie in the 19th century in this estate, which has preserved the period furniture.
Nautical and gastronomic trips
The marina in Saint-Gilles welcomes pleasure boaters who come to discover the Camargue in an unusual way. You too can take advantage of a yacht charter in Saint-Gilles for an extraordinary exploration of this fantastic wilderness. Sail along the little Rhône towards Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer to enjoy the vineyards and fruit trees. Then, head for the coast at Grau-du-Roi for some water-jet-powered motorized craft fun, diving and even some fun on the towed buoys.
enjoy the joy of sea fishing on the side of the boat without a license. Swim and sunbathe on the beach at Grau-du-Roi. Fancy a gastronomic getaway? Head for the vineyards of Saint-Gilles to see how the AOP Costières de Nîmes wines are made and to taste them. You can also sample specialties from the Camargue, such as bull steak, in the restaurants of Saint-Gilles.
France river navigation Saint-Gilles westwards: 7 days
Saint-Gilles is characterized by a strong Camargue influence, which it proudly displays and celebrates. There are still many ferias (although not as big as those in Nîmes) and other festivals (Camargue races, the release of young bulls in the city). In addition, the Abbey is listed by UNESCO as a place of passage for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. You can therefore enjoy the charms of a city deeply rooted in its past with lots of activities in the summer.
Practical information
- Starting point: Saint-Gilles
- Arrival point: Saint-Gilles
- Total km: 194 km
- Total Hours: 24 h 16 min
- Total Locks: 6 Locks
Summary of your itinerary
Saint-Gilles >>> Gallician (15 km / 1 hr 52 min / 0 Locks)
Gallician is a hamlet in the municipality of Vauvert, located at the foot of the Costières plateau. Gallician lives mainly from wine growing (Costeères-de-Nîmes), to which fishing and «sagne», or reed cutting, are added. The Scamandre regional nature reserve is not far away, perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the summer hustle and bustle.
Gallician >>> Aigues-Mortes (12 km / 1 hr 40 min / 0 locks)
Aigues-Mortes is a city steeped in history (like the whole region, for that matter), an ancient medieval city with a still-visible fortified enclosure. Les Salins (salt production and harvesting) is a magnificent visit between the sea and the salt pans, in a wild and unspoiled natural environment. Around the corner, you will find cellars with a wide selection of wines.
Aigues-Mortes >>> Carnon (20 km / 2 hrs 30 mins / 0 locks)
At the gateway to the Petite Camargue, the pretty port of Carnon undeniably benefits from a microclimate and a conviviality that have made it famous. Its port facilities, which are particularly well protected from the sea, fully meet all requirements in terms of quality and nautical comfort. The port has 700 berths.
Carnon >>> Palavas les Rising Tides (18 km / 2 hr 25 min / 0 Locks)
An extraordinary port of call, located in the bay of Aigues Morte, 10 minutes from Montpellier, the port of Palavas is at the heart of the resort. The canal lives to the rhythm of the sun and traditional fishing is still present. The Port of Palavas is at the point of environmental concerns, labeled as a "clean port", it offers boaters all the necessary equipment to respect the environment.
Palavas les Rising Tides >>> Frontignan (6 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 Locks)
Frontignan-la-Peyrade and its inhabitants have been intimately and passionately anchored to the Mediterranean for several centuries, first as a fishing port, then as a commercial port and now as a marina. 600 berths.
Frontignan > > > Sète (2 km / 0 hr 10 min / 0 Locks)
Sète was founded three centuries ago around the port created by Colbert's decision to open up Languedoc to the Mediterranean. The port is magnificent, with its cargo ships, trawlers and sailboats; it is located in the heart of the city. As you walk along the quays and cross some of the fourteen decks, you will encounter the entire Mediterranean. Sète is also famous for its marine cemetery and its illustrious guests, not to mention the Nationale road that connects it to Paris. Entrance to the port from the west
Sète >>> Bouzigues (5 km / 0 hr 25 min / 0 Locks)
The birthplace of shellfish farming, Bouzigues is a charming little village that lives mainly from the farming of oysters and mussels and from the growing tourism. A small, typically Mediterranean fishing village, Bouzigues has managed to retain its traditions and its old-world charm. Don't miss a visit to the Étang de Thau museum.
Bouzigues >>> Méze (9 km / 0 hr 45 min / 0 locks)
Mèze is the oldest village in the Bassin de Thau, founded by the Phocaeans in the 6th century BC. Successively a refuge, trading post and place of residence, the town has known a number of occupations. For a long time limited to agriculture and fishing, the economy of Mézoe opened up to maritime trade around the 16th century. There is an unparalleled wealth of heritage here, and you can take advantage of it (recent archaeological excavations, museums) as well as tasting local wines.
Méze >>> Marseillan (1 km / 0 hr 05 min / 0 locks)
Marseillan is a typical fishing village in the region because it is located on the side of the Thau lagoon while retaining its Mediterranean characteristics. The history of the village is marked by the settlement of the Greeks on the coast, then by Roman rule and all the other forms of cultural mix that the region subsequently experienced. Its inhabitants have been able to take advantage of the natural resources offered by the lake or the vineyards. In summer, pleasure boaters come to the shores of the pond to relax and enjoy the milder weather.
Marseillan >>> Les Onglous (7 km / 1 hr 22 min / 2 locks)
The Pointe des Onglous is a place in the country, and it is at this point that the canal joins the pond. A lighthouse beacons the exit from the canal, and for good reason, as there are a number of shipwrecks whose hulls have been taken over by mussels. For nature lovers, a hiking trail runs along the Pointe des Onglous.
The Onglous >>> Agde (2 km / 0 hr 29 min / 1 locks)
Agde is a French commune located in the department of Hérault and in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The town of Agde, sometimes nicknamed "the black pearl of the Mediterranean" because of its monuments built in basalt stone, has a long history. Founded in the 6th century BC by Phocaeans from Marseille, it was the seat of an bishopric from the year 500 until the Revolution. Faced with the bishop, who had held the temporal power of the viscount of Agde since the 12th century, the city was very early, around the beginning of the 13th century, administeredby Consuls, a forerunner of the modern municipalities. A port city since Antiquity, favored towards the end of the 17th century by the opening of the Canal du Midi, Agde derived most of its income from maritime trade and fishing for a long time. The town suffered the decline of its port on the Hérault, five kilometers from the sea, outclassed by that of Sète from the arrival of steamships.
Agde >>> Saint-Gilles (97 km / 11 h 48 min / 3 locks)
Saint-Gilles is characterized by a strong Camargue influence, which it proudly displays on many occasions. There are still many ferias (although on a smaller scale than those in Nîmes) and other festivals (Camargue races, the release of young bulls in the city). In addition, the Abbey is listed by UNESCO as a place of passage for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. You can therefore enjoy the charms of a city deeply rooted in its past with lots of activities in the summer.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 1 190 |
|---|---|
| Average price per week | $2,436 |
| Minimum weekly price | $794 |
| Maximum price per week | $4,662 |