You can see the white horses of the Camargue roaming free in the grasslands along the Rhone River Delta. They do roam free and are protected in the nature preserve to sustain the breed. |
Dave Hilbert's
SoftSeatTravel,
SoftSeatTravel,
Camargue Horses, Provence The South of France
| Camargue White Horses and the unique lifestyle of the Gardiens On the Rhone River Delta |
| The Camargue brings To mind images of Gypsies, white horses and bulls roaming the grasslands of Southern France. |
The horses of the Camargue are an
indigenous breed, some say, once wild
and now protected by the government to
keep the breed pure. They do roam free
as a breeding stock and mate without
intervention. The horsemen and women of
the Camargue harvest them regularly,
culling the young ones for saddle horses
and gelding those unfit for breeding. They
are a gentle and intelligent horse
possessed of stamina and agility and a
liking for people
indigenous breed, some say, once wild
and now protected by the government to
keep the breed pure. They do roam free
as a breeding stock and mate without
intervention. The horsemen and women of
the Camargue harvest them regularly,
culling the young ones for saddle horses
and gelding those unfit for breeding. They
are a gentle and intelligent horse
possessed of stamina and agility and a
liking for people
Caravans head for the
Rhone Delta and
Camping in the Camargue
Rhone Delta and
Camping in the Camargue
Vacation cottages in St. Maries de la Mere the
homes of the gardiens the "Cowboys" of the
Camargue
homes of the gardiens the "Cowboys" of the
Camargue
Camargue Salt Works: looks like sand but it is
Camargue sea salt harvested from Mediterranean
Sea water in huge evaporation pools, continuing a
tradition that goes back to Medieval times.
Camargue sea salt harvested from Mediterranean
Sea water in huge evaporation pools, continuing a
tradition that goes back to Medieval times.
The Gypsy spirit takes
over in the Camargue
as campers head for
the tip of the Rhone
delta.
over in the Camargue
as campers head for
the tip of the Rhone
delta.
We serve the salt at the table. Called Fleur
de Sel, by some packagers, this finishing
salt is sprinkled lightly on food to give the
food a blast of salt (tingle) without salting
the whole meal.
de Sel, by some packagers, this finishing
salt is sprinkled lightly on food to give the
food a blast of salt (tingle) without salting
the whole meal.
The Camargue
cottage, home of the
Gardiens, the tenders
of the Camargue
horses and bulls, is a
unique stucco and
thatch dwelling that
hints at a Celtic
heritage with a north
African influence
cottage, home of the
Gardiens, the tenders
of the Camargue
horses and bulls, is a
unique stucco and
thatch dwelling that
hints at a Celtic
heritage with a north
African influence
Arles is the gateway to
the Camargue
the Camargue
The Gardiens raise the bulls for the
bullrings of Southern France and Spain
bullrings of Southern France and Spain
Others believe the breed is
pure and indigenous to the
Rhone Delta and stems
from a primitive breed
found locally as fossilized
bones.
Others link their traits to the
Spanish war horse, their
small size at 13 hands
would have made them
excellent shipboard
travelers and their stamina
and strength would have
made them an ideal war
horse.
The immature Camargue
horse is black or brown in
color but upon reaching
adulthood at about four
years will turn to the familiar
white color.
The Camargue Gardien
uses the Camargue horse
to manage the black
Camargue bulls that they
raise in the vast grassland
of the Camargue. Often
they will pasture a
Camargue horse with a
herd of young bulls.
pure and indigenous to the
Rhone Delta and stems
from a primitive breed
found locally as fossilized
bones.
Others link their traits to the
Spanish war horse, their
small size at 13 hands
would have made them
excellent shipboard
travelers and their stamina
and strength would have
made them an ideal war
horse.
The immature Camargue
horse is black or brown in
color but upon reaching
adulthood at about four
years will turn to the familiar
white color.
The Camargue Gardien
uses the Camargue horse
to manage the black
Camargue bulls that they
raise in the vast grassland
of the Camargue. Often
they will pasture a
Camargue horse with a
herd of young bulls.
| In the vast pastures of the Camargue the Gardiens raise the black bulls used in the bullrings of southern France and Spain. |
| The Camargue, Provence |
The horses of the Camargue are an
indigenous breed, some say, once
wild and now protected by the
government to keep the breed pure.
indigenous breed, some say, once
wild and now protected by the
government to keep the breed pure.
Non lethal bullfighting of
Provence
Provence
We found them all in the Camargue along with the intriguing
legend of two Marys related to Christ, the Saintes Maries de
la Mer.
Text and Photos by David Hilbert
legend of two Marys related to Christ, the Saintes Maries de
la Mer.
Text and Photos by David Hilbert
One source claims they are a
millenniums-old breeding stock used by
Celtic people, Greeks, Romans, Arabs,
and others who lived along the Rhone or
would come by ship to the mouth of the
Rhone to cull out the young for war
horses.
millenniums-old breeding stock used by
Celtic people, Greeks, Romans, Arabs,
and others who lived along the Rhone or
would come by ship to the mouth of the
Rhone to cull out the young for war
horses.
Do You need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license from your home country and perhaps your passport. Italian law requires that you carry an IDP as does
Spain, Portugal, Greece, and several of the former Soviet Union countries. The International driver's permit is
issued by the American Automobile Association AAA in the States and the CAA in Canada. The cost is $15
and not a bad bit of insurance against running into trouble while driving in Europe.
In France and Italy you can rent a car and do not need to show an International Permit, only your drivers
license from your home country and perhaps your passport. Italian law requires that you carry an IDP as does
Spain, Portugal, Greece, and several of the former Soviet Union countries. The International driver's permit is
issued by the American Automobile Association AAA in the States and the CAA in Canada. The cost is $15
and not a bad bit of insurance against running into trouble while driving in Europe.
No Passing for
commercial
vehicles
commercial
vehicles
No Passing
zone ends
zone ends
Highway or
Expressway
Expressway
Intersection
with right of
way to right
with right of
way to right
| road showing right of way |
| Rotary with yield to traffic in rotary |
Prices and availability, gas or diesel models,
RV Rentals in Europe, Air and Hotel
RV Rentals in Europe, Air and Hotel
Auto Europe selection, price, and ease of booking on
the web. . Shop online well ahead of your trip and
choose diesel or gas, luggage space, Important ,
standard or automatic, Important, two door, four door
and other options. Renting for more than 17 days; see
their options
the web. . Shop online well ahead of your trip and
choose diesel or gas, luggage space, Important ,
standard or automatic, Important, two door, four door
and other options. Renting for more than 17 days; see
their options
Speed limits will be clearly marked and the Rotary will be a welcome site with its directions to various
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
towns. Gassing up is similar to US with credit card and automatic shut-off at modern pumps. Car rental are
available in all large cities and at many TGV Train Stations..
Information for those renting a vehicle in Provence
Camargue Camping MAP http://www.rentocamp.com/camping-abri-de-camargue.htm
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