Salin de Giraud: a moment of respite in the heart of a salt landscape

White sandy beaches, pink and green salt flats, pink flamingos... all the promise of an escape that only Salin de Giraud can offer.

Nestled in a mix of blue sea, pink salt flats and lush green marshes, Salin de Giraud is a garden of Eden lost in the Camargue. A visit here will give you a real feel for the industrial and multi-ethnic history of 19th-century France. And with good reason: historically, the town's activity revolved around salt extraction.

Armenians, Spaniards, Italians and especially Greeks in search of work have long settled in the village. Over time, their strong cultures and traditions have blended to give the old village's checkerboard streets a unique atmosphere.

Would you like to explore the streets of Salin de Giraud and succumb to its charms? Here are the 2 must-do activities we recommend.

Piémanson beach: when marsh fauna mingles with salt and sea

Naturophiles, swimmers, birdwatchers and kitesurfers, the sandy beach of Piémanson is for you. With its 7 km of sandy beach, you'll be able to watch pink flamingos and white stilts in search of insects to eat. For kitesurfers, it's one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of southern France.

In fact, Piémanson beach is one of the few supervised beaches that isn't overrun by crowds of tourists. So you can be sure of plenty of space and free parking.

The salt mountains, historical witnesses to Salin de Giraud's past

It's impossible to talk about Salin de Giraud without mentioning its impressive salt dunes. Harvested year-round, the salt is amassed into large, spectacular hills of sparkling white.

As you skim the trails leading up to these behemoths, you'll have the chance to contemplate multiple salt flats and ponds of various colors. And within the latter, you might even spot majestic white and pink stilts and Camargue horses?

How do you plan your day from our hostel?

To get to Salin de Giraud, you have two options: either go by car, or go by bike. Here are the two available routes.

Route A: 50-minute drive

If you decide to go by car, you're in for 59 km of breathtaking Camargue scenery. 

The Parc Ornithologique du Pont de Gau is just 3 km from the Auberge Cavalière du Pont des Bannes. Circaètes jean-le-blanc, teal, golden eagles, herons, storks and a host of other sedentary and migratory birds nest here. Will you be able to catch them all on one of the site's many observation points?

Continuing along the main road, 12 km from our hotel, you'll find one of the region's most beautiful historic sites: the Château d'Avignon estate. Built in the 18th century, the Château d'Avignon plunges you into the luxurious, scientific bourgeoisie of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

But the road leading to Salin de Giraud from the Auberge Cavalière du Pont de Bannes is home to one last surprise: wild Camargue bulls. Indissociable from our region, these imposing behemoths roam freely in the meadows dotted around the road.

Itinerary B: 1 h 30 of cycling

Would you like to explore the peaceful, picturesque soul of the Camargue on your way to Salin de Giraud? If so, cyclists and cycling aficionados, get out your 2-wheeler.

If you follow the GPS route, you'll cover just over 32 km. Non-stop, it will take you 1h30, but be warned: the Camargue will unfold all its charms if you take the time to contemplate it.

Just 2 km from our hotel, the "Aux compères" store opens its doors to you. Renowned for its fresh produce and authenticity, it offers fresh fruit and vegetables with exquisite flavours - perhaps you'll pick up your purchases on the way back?

A few turns of the wheel later, you'll find yourself on the Dykes of the Sea. You'll embark on a journey carried along by the sea spray, surrounded by gulls, flamingos, terns, waders and other birds emblematic of the Camargue. As part of our commitment to ecological preservation, there are no water or refreshment points, so remember to bring your own water.

Finally, the road to Salin de Giraud takes you to the Salin de Giraud bullring. Here, aficionados of both culture and sport come together to enjoy Camargue (cow) races.

And what are you waiting for to succumb to the charm of Salin de Giraud?

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