Final Up to date
France is the most visited country worldwide, simply surpassing Spain, Italy and Mexico.
Final 12 months alone, it hosted over 100 million friends, who flocked from all around the globe to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at evening or marvel on the regal opulence of palaces like Versailles.
I reside right here, in Paris particularly, and I can inform you it has been an absolute gong-show, however as broadly standard as France is, one factor I’ve realized touring throughout the territory is that enormous swathes of it stay largely undiscovered.
As a majority of overseas vacationers will sometimes verify off Paris and, if time allowing, go to a few summery cities within the French Riviera earlier than transferring to the subsequent nation in line, they may 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 considered one of these hidden gems, a medieval metropolis resting on the banks of a bubblegum pink lake, and I virtually could not consider my eyes—and the very fact there have been only a few foreigners in sight:
Is This The Final True Hidden Gem Of France?
Aigues-Mortes shouldn’t be the standard city that may function on the journey brochure displayed at your resort entrance desk if you happen to’re coming to France.
In contrast to Good, Avignon, St Tropez and the like, the French would very very like to maintain it a secret.
It’s a small settlement within the historic Camargues, a coastal space of France finest 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––look forward to finding elegant pink flamingos and majestic wild horses prancing about––however let’s persist with Aigues-Mortes.
It’s positioned 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 essential middle of commerce within the Center Ages, when it gathered most of its cultural wealth.
I did not know what to anticipate pulling up with the automobile earlier than the imposing medieval ramparts, however as I’d quickly discover out, this offbeat city tucked away within the salines of Camargue is among the best-preserved medieval treasures nonetheless surviving in France at this time:
What Makes Aigues-Mortes So Particular?
I do know Dubrovnik gets all the praise, and even in France, Mont St Michel citadel is much extra simply acknowledged, however the square-shaped Aigues-Mortes can be surrounded by intact metropolis partitions and defended by a sequence of towers and fortified gates.
Chivalric romance stuff, you recognize?
Strolling the charming Previous City, 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 if you happen to’re transported again in time.
You would spend hours on finish exploring at leisure, and also you’re certain to search out one or two secret courtyards with a centuries-old properly on the middle and loads of memento outlets the place you should buy pure Camargue salt, lavender merchandise, and distinctive craftwork.
Probably the most hanging function right here, and one you’ll be able to’t simply miss if you happen to’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.
Effectively, I have to add they don’t seem to be lakes correct, however saltpans which can be naturally salmon-colored because of the presence of a microscopic algae that proliferates within the surroundings.
In brief, do not attempt to go for a swim as it’s miles from being… hem, protected.
Both means, it is not every single day you get to see a medieval citadel straddle a pink physique of water, and what a sight, my pals!
Prime 3 Finest Vacationer Actions In Aigues-Mortes
Go to The Salines
Considered 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 your entire Mediterranean basin and the place about 500,000 tons of salt per 12 months are produced.
Apart from shopping for different-flavored salt, you’ll be able to hop on a vacationer prepare rattling up the slender lanes between saltpans, and if you happen to’re hoping to snap the traditional postcard image of the pink lake with the Aigues-Mortes townscape for backdrop, I might recommend you sit on the left facet.
There is a small, somewhat attention-grabbing museum on web site, too, and you may even climb up a salt mound for a wide ranging panorama of the standard Camargues panorama.
The Petit prepare go to lasts simply over an hour, and tickets value $13.90 per individual (or the equal in euro).
Stroll The Ramparts
On the town, the must-do attraction is accessing the ramparts and their adjoining Constance Tower: sure, you’ll be able to stroll the whole 1.8-mile extension of them, and be sure to deliver a bottle of water, and an influence financial institution for that limited-battery telephone, as you will most likely be taking footage each step of the best way.
There are many actions in and round Aigues-Mortes that ought to hold you busy for a few days, so I recommend you intend at the least an in a single day right here––I stayed myself at Resort L’Escale (check out the Google reviews here), within the coronary heart of the ‘Inside Metropolis’, or the walled Previous City, and a double room value $56 per individual.
On common, room charges in Aigues-Mortes vary from $113 to $160 on Booking, a much more cheap ask than Paris’ jaw-dropping $208 to $342 on the peak of Olympics season.
Pattern Some World-Class French Meals
If you happen to’re eager on experiencing French culture—and by that I imply sampling each sort of cheese below the scorching solar and sipping a Sable de Camargue Rosé —the Predominant Avenue 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 historical custom, head to Chez Coco.
They serve freshly made pizza and pasta for the weak of abdomen, and for the extra adventurous form like me, the most effective andouillette sausages and probably the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder you will ever attempt.
If you happen to’re vegan, Le XIII is the place to go: not solely have they got a stunning secluded outside seating space, shaded by unique timber, however their refreshing Bergère salad, accompanied by chèvre-et-miel toast tastes heavenly on notably scorching summer time days.
Aigues-Mortes is well-known round France for its seafood, notably its mussels, and Casa Toro is the place you will discover the most effective mussel à la Aigues-Mortaise on the town, salted to style, and remember to order an anchovy-based anchoïade dipping sauce for the bread, if obtainable.
One Of The Most Welcoming Locations In France
The value vary for eating places is a suitable $30-35, if you happen to’re ordering a small entrée, a principal dish and a glass of wine or similarly-priced drink, and the service is normally impeccable—dwelling in Paris myself, I’ve misplaced depend of the variety of instances I’ve needed to cope with ill-tempered waiters.
Aigues-Mortes has not one of the large metropolis fast-paced dwelling, site visitors, nor hustle and bustle, and as I perceived it, persons are simply in a greater temper than Parisians usually: it is no surprise Aigues-Mortes was just lately ranked by Reserving the most welcoming town within the area.
Apart from the cultural worth and the friendliness of locals, Aigues-Mortes is among the most original locations I have been in France (and boy, have I received round…) and I simply cannot consider it is but to be overrun with worldwide vacationers.
Attain Aigues-Mortes
If you happen to’re questioning the way to get right here, the closest airport is in Montpellier (MPL), serving the namesake metropolis, and internet hosting seasonal low-cost flights from various colder European locations, like London (Gatwick), Copenhagen, Berlin and even Paris.
If you happen to’re already in Southern France, nevertheless, 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 value as low-cost as $1.
If you happen to’re touching down in Montpellier, you’ll be able to journey from Montpellier to Aigues-Mortes, however it’s going to require one change in Nîmes, tickets for your entire journey costing from $7.48, at a complete journey length of 1h28 for the shortest switch instances.
↓ Elevate Your Journey↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No advertisements, VIP Content material, Private Journey Concierge, Big Financial savings, Day by day Offers, Members Discussion board & Extra!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: The place vacationers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even discover like-minded journey buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your e mail handle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
This text initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, accepted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.
