Also called Camargue by some, the lagoon area between Lattes and Pérols (Hérault, France), is part of the region where I was born.
Officially, the Camargue stretches form the Bouches-du-Rhone to the department of Gard, and is formed by the Rhône delta.
There is also the Petite Camargue, part of the Camargue located west of the Petit Rhône in the Gard.
Located along the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Montpellier, this area includes many marshes, ponds, “sansouïres” (biotopes made of flooded grounds during very high tides, and so, very saline lands) and reed beds (zone bordering lakes, ponds, marshes and backwaters of river where mainly reeds grow).
F4.5, 1/6400 sec, 50 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/1250 sec, 500 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/5000 sec, 500 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/5000 sec, 244 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/500 sec, 413 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 7D
F1.8, 1/1250 sec, 50 mm, ISO1000, Canon EOS 7D
F10, 1/400 sec, 500 mm, ISO320, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/3200 sec, 500 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F5, 1/200 sec, 200 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/130 sec, 500 mm, ISO2500, Canon EOS 7D
F8, 1/100 sec, 70 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
Between Lattes and Pérols, is the protected natural site of Le Méjean. It will allow you to observe flamingos, herons, egrets, storks, coypus (river rats), wild boar, but also horses and bulls of the Camargue.
Having known this area when I was a kid, I can tell you it has changed a lot in 20 years.
A House of Nature (Maison de la Nature) was established, accessible trails have been created, areas have been closed to the public. This can be frustrating for nature lovers who want to explore these areas, but unfortunately not everyone respects Nature …
F22, 1/0 sec, 10 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/1600 sec, 500 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/1250 sec, 500 mm, ISO500, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/200 sec, 500 mm, ISO6400, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/3200 sec, 500 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F7.1, 1/200 sec, 500 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 7D
F4, 1/130 sec, 70 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5.6, 1/100 sec, 200 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F8, 1/1250 sec, 200 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F6.3, 1/2500 sec, 373 mm, ISO2000, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/130 sec, 200 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5.6, 1/500 sec, 18 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F5, 1/160 sec, 100 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F1.8, 1/500 sec, 50 mm, ISO100, Canon EOS 7D
F4, 1/400 sec, 154 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
In this part of the Camargue, you can practice wildlife and bird photography too, as wildlife is still quite varied.
The sunsets are spectacular, with beautiful reflections on the water in the ponds. On canals, you can watch various crafts such as barges here and there.
F5.6, 1/500 sec, 200 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F10, 1/500 sec, 94 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F4, 1/250 sec, 200 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F8, 1/250 sec, 188 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F6.3, 1/400 sec, 287 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
F10, 1/400 sec, 500 mm, ISO320, Canon EOS 7D
F6.3, 1/200 sec, 500 mm, ISO1600, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/400 sec, 200 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F4, 1/320 sec, 200 mm, ISO200, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F6.3, 1/320 sec, 500 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 7D
F14, 1/500 sec, 149 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
F5.6, 1/1000 sec, 98 mm, ISO800, Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
F7.1, 1/250 sec, 200 mm, ISO400, Canon EOS 7D
I hope you enjoyed my article about the Camargue and the protected natural area of Le Mejean, between Lattes and Pérols (Hérault, France).
Maybe it will make you want to come and see them with your own eyes.
The Camargue is also the place of the gardians (herdsmen). A gardian / herdsman is the guardian of a “manade”, a herd of Camargue bulls or horses living in semi-captivity. The owner of a “manade” / herd is a “manadier”.
They would in some ways, be the “cowboys” of southern France.
I would like to dedicate this article to my grandfather who was one of them. Gardian, Camargue lover and passionate about horses.
