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France is the most visited country worldwide, simply surpassing Spain, Italy and Mexico.
Final 12 months alone, it hosted over 100 million visitors, who flocked from everywhere in the globe to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at evening or marvel on the regal opulence of palaces like Versailles.
I dwell right here, in Paris particularly, and I can inform you it has been an absolute gong-show, however as broadly in style 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 sometimes test off Paris and, if time allowing, go to a few summery cities within the French Riviera earlier than shifting to the subsequent nation in line, they are going to usually miss out on a few of the most awe-inspiring, fairytale spots (un)recognized to most.
In a current 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 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 is just not the standard city that might function on the journey brochure displayed at your resort entrance desk for those who’re coming to France.
In contrast to Good, Avignon, St Tropez and the like, the French would very very similar to to maintain it a secret.
It’s 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 largely bypassing altogether when touring up the N113 on the way in which to Montpellier.
I might dedicate a whole stand-alone article to the nationwide park, most likely essentially the most fascinating bird-watching and wildlife-spotting website in Europe––anticipate finding elegant pink flamingos and majestic wild horses prancing about––however let’s follow Aigues-Mortes.
It’s situated on the junction of two channels, the Rhône and the Maritime, making it a pure transit hub for boats touring from side to side the coast; for sure, Aigues-Mortes was a massively essential middle of commerce within the Center Ages, when it collected 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 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 also be surrounded by intact metropolis partitions and defended by a sequence of towers and fortified gates.
Chivalric romance stuff, you realize?
Strolling the charming Previous City, a grid-like maze of cobbled lanes lined by an identical stone homes, distinguished by their flower preparations and colourful window shutters, it is virtually as for those who’re transported again in time.
You could possibly spend hours on finish exploring at leisure, and also you’re certain to seek out one or two secret courtyards with a centuries-old properly on the middle and loads of memento retailers the place you should buy pure Camargue salt, lavender merchandise, and distinctive craftwork.
Probably the most hanging function right here, and one you possibly can’t simply miss for those who’ve been to a justifiable share 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 are naturally salmon-colored because of the presence of a microscopic algae that proliferates within the setting.
Briefly, do not try to go for a swim as it is from being… hem, secure.
Both approach, it is not daily you get to see a medieval citadel straddle a pink physique of water, and what a sight, my pals!
High 3 Greatest Vacationer Actions In Aigues-Mortes
Go to The Salines
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Aigues-Mortes is visiting the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes, the city’s landmark saline, residence to the most important salt marsh in your complete Mediterranean basin and the place about 500,000 tons of salt per 12 months are produced.
Apart from shopping for different-flavored salt, you possibly can hop on a vacationer prepare rattling up the slender lanes between saltpans, and for those who’re hoping to snap the traditional postcard image of the pink lake with the Aigues-Mortes townscape for backdrop, I might counsel you sit on the left aspect.
There is a small, quite attention-grabbing museum on website, too, and you may even climb up a salt mound for a panoramic panorama of the standard Camargues panorama.
The Petit prepare go to lasts simply over an hour, and tickets value $13.90 per particular person (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 possibly can stroll the total 1.8-mile extension of them, and ensure you carry 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 way in which.
There are many actions in and round Aigues-Mortes that ought to preserve you busy for a few days, so I counsel you intend not less than 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 ‘Internal Metropolis’, or the walled Previous City, and a double room value $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.
Pattern Some World-Class French Meals
In case you’re eager on experiencing French culture—and by that I imply sampling each kind of cheese underneath the scorching solar and sipping a Sable de Camargue Rosé —the Major Road 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 type like me, the very best andouillette sausages and essentially the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder you will ever strive.
In case you’re vegan, Le XIII is the place to go: not solely have they got a beautiful 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 season days.
Aigues-Mortes is well-known round France for its seafood, significantly its mussels, and Casa Toro is the place you will discover the very best 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 Locations In France
The value vary for eating places is a suitable $30-35, for those who’re ordering a small entrée, a most important 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 instances I’ve needed to take care of 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, persons are simply in a greater temper than Parisians typically: it is no marvel Aigues-Mortes was not too long ago ranked by Reserving the most welcoming town within the area.
Apart from the cultural worth and the friendliness of locals, Aigues-Mortes is likely one of the most original locations I have been in France (and boy, have I acquired round…) and I simply can’t consider it is but to be overrun with worldwide vacationers.
The right way to Attain Aigues-Mortes
In case you’re questioning methods to get right here, the closest airport is in Montpellier (MPL), serving the namesake metropolis, and internet hosting seasonal low-cost flights from plenty of colder European locations, like London (Gatwick), Copenhagen, Berlin and even Paris.
In case you’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 the town of Nîmes: the SCNF-TER service takes roughly 53 minutes to finish the journey, and tickets value as low cost as $1.
In case you’re touching down in Montpellier, you possibly can journey from Montpellier to Aigues-Mortes, however it would require one change in Nîmes, tickets for your complete journey costing from $7.48, at a complete journey period of 1h28 for the shortest switch instances.
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Opinions expressed listed here are the creator’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, resort, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included inside the publish.