Travel Guide
Medieval Town By A Bubblegum Pink Lake: One Of The Last True Hidden Gems In France
Jul
Last Updated
France is the most visited country worldwide, simply surpassing Spain, Italy and Mexico.
Last 12 months alone, it hosted over 100 million friends, who flocked from all around the globe to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night time or marvel on the regal opulence of palaces like Versailles.
I reside right here, in Paris particularly, and I can let you know it has been an absolute gong-show, however as extensively standard as France is, one factor I’ve discovered touring throughout the territory is that enormous swathes of it stay largely undiscovered.
As a majority of overseas vacationers will usually verify off Paris and, if time allowing, go to a few summery cities within the French Riviera earlier than transferring to the following nation in line, they’ll typically miss out on a few of the most awe-inspiring, fairytale spots (un)recognized to most.
In a latest journey to the Camargue area, I stumbled upon one in every of these hidden gems, a medieval metropolis resting on the banks of a bubblegum pink lake, and I virtually could not imagine my eyes—and the actual fact there have been only a few foreigners in sight:
Is This The Last True Hidden Gem Of France?
Aigues-Mortes shouldn’t be the everyday city that may characteristic on the journey brochure displayed at your lodge entrance desk for those who’re coming to France.
Unlike Nice, Avignon, St Tropez and the like, the French would very very like to maintain it a secret.
It is a small settlement within the historic Camargues, a coastal space of France greatest recognized for its huge wetlands, and a UNESCO-protected reserve vacationers are principally bypassing altogether when touring up the N113 on the best way to Montpellier.
I might dedicate a complete stand-alone article to the nationwide park, most likely probably the most fascinating bird-watching and wildlife-spotting web site in Europe––anticipate finding elegant pink flamingos and majestic wild horses prancing about––however let’s stick with Aigues-Mortes.
It is situated on the junction of two channels, the Rhône and the Maritime, making it a pure transit hub for boats touring backward and forward the coast; evidently, Aigues-Mortes was a vastly vital middle of commerce within the Middle Ages, when it accrued most of its cultural wealth.
I did not know what to anticipate pulling up with the automotive earlier than the imposing medieval ramparts, however as I might quickly discover out, this offbeat city tucked away within the salines of Camargue is likely one of the best-preserved medieval treasures nonetheless surviving in France in the present day:
What Makes Aigues-Mortes So Special?
I do know Dubrovnik gets all the praise, and even in France, Mont St Michel citadel is way extra simply acknowledged, however the square-shaped Aigues-Mortes can be surrounded by intact metropolis partitions and defended by a collection of towers and fortified gates.
Chivalric romance stuff, ?
Strolling the charming Old Town, a grid-like maze of cobbled lanes lined by equivalent stone homes, distinguished by their flower preparations and colourful window shutters, it is virtually as for those who’re transported again in time.
You might spend hours on finish exploring at leisure, and also you’re certain to seek out one or two secret courtyards with a centuries-old effectively on the middle and loads of memento retailers the place you should buy pure Camargue salt, lavender merchandise, and distinctive craftwork.
The most hanging characteristic right here, and one you’ll be able to’t simply miss for those who’ve been to a fair proportion of castles earlier than and also you’re already numb to the artifical wonders of Europe, is the vividly-pink lakes that border the historic ramparts.
Well, I need to add they aren’t lakes correct, however saltpans which are naturally salmon-colored as a result of presence of a microscopic algae that proliferates within the surroundings.
In quick, do not attempt to go for a swim as it’s miles from being… hem, secure.
Either method, it is not day by day you get to see a medieval citadel straddle a pink physique of water, and what a sight, my mates!
Top 3 Best Tourist Activities In Aigues-Mortes
Visit The Salines
One of my favourite issues to do in Aigues-Mortes is visiting the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes, the city’s landmark saline, residence to the biggest salt marsh in the complete Mediterranean basin and the place about 500,000 tons of salt per 12 months are produced.
Other than shopping for different-flavored salt, you’ll be able to hop on a vacationer prepare rattling up the slender lanes between saltpans, and for those who’re hoping to snap the basic postcard image of the pink lake with the Aigues-Mortes townscape for backdrop, I’d counsel you sit on the left facet.
There’s a small, fairly attention-grabbing museum on web site, too, and you may even climb up a salt mound for a panoramic panorama of the everyday Camargues panorama.
The Petit prepare go to lasts simply over an hour, and tickets price $13.90 per particular person (or the equal in euro).
Walk The Ramparts
In city, the must-do attraction is accessing the ramparts and their adjoining Constance Tower: sure, you’ll be able to stroll the complete 1.8-mile extension of them, and ensure you deliver a bottle of water, and an influence financial institution for that limited-battery cellphone, as you may most likely be taking footage each step of the best way.
There are plenty of actions in and round Aigues-Mortes that ought to preserve you busy for a few days, so I counsel you intend at the least an in a single day right here––I stayed myself at Hotel L’Escale (check out the Google reviews here), within the coronary heart of the ‘Inner City’, or the walled Old Town, and a double room price $56 per particular person.
On common, room charges in Aigues-Mortes vary from $113 to $160 on Booking, a much more affordable ask than Paris’ jaw-dropping $208 to $342 on the peak of Olympics season.
Sample Some World-Class French Food
If you are eager on experiencing French culture—and by that I imply sampling each kind of cheese below the scorching solar and sipping a Sable de Camargue Rosé —the Main Street main from Porte de la Gardette to the Notre-Dame des Sablons Church is flanked by conventional brasseries.
For rustic, wood-fired meals that screams historic custom, head to Chez Coco.
They serve freshly made pizza and pasta for the weak of abdomen, and for the extra adventurous variety like me, the perfect andouillette sausages and probably the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder you may ever attempt.
If you are vegan, Le XIII is the place to go: not solely have they got a stunning secluded out of doors seating space, shaded by unique bushes, however their refreshing Bergère salad, accompanied by chèvre-et-miel toast tastes heavenly on significantly scorching summer time days.
Aigues-Mortes is well-known round France for its seafood, significantly its mussels, and Casa Toro is the place you may discover the perfect mussel à la Aigues-Mortaise on the town, salted to style, and do not forget to order an anchovy-based anchoïade dipping sauce for the bread, if obtainable.
One Of The Most Welcoming Destinations In France
The worth vary for eating places is an appropriate $30-35, for those who’re ordering a small entrée, a essential dish and a glass of wine or similarly-priced drink, and the service is often impeccable—residing in Paris myself, I’ve misplaced depend of the variety of occasions I’ve needed to cope with ill-tempered waiters.
Aigues-Mortes has not one of the massive metropolis fast-paced residing, site visitors, nor hustle and bustle, and as I perceived it, individuals are simply in a greater temper than Parisians normally: it is no surprise Aigues-Mortes was lately ranked by Booking the most welcoming town within the area.
Other than the cultural worth and the friendliness of locals, Aigues-Mortes is likely one of the most original locations I’ve been in France (and boy, have I bought round…) and I simply can’t imagine it is but to be overrun with worldwide vacationers.
How to Reach Aigues-Mortes
If you are questioning easy methods to get right here, the closest airport is in Montpellier (MPL), serving the namesake metropolis, and internet hosting seasonal low-cost flights from numerous colder European locations, like London (Gatwick), Copenhagen, Berlin and even Paris.
If you are already in Southern France, nonetheless, getting right here is even simpler, because the city is served by a prepare station with direct hyperlinks to town of Nîmes: the SCNF-TER service takes roughly 53 minutes to finish the journey, and tickets price as low-cost as $1.
If you are touching down in Montpellier, you’ll be able to journey from Montpellier to Aigues-Mortes, however it can require one change in Nîmes, tickets for the complete journey costing from $7.48, at a complete journey period of 1h28 for the shortest switch occasions.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorized or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.
