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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 company, 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 let you know it has been an absolute gong-show, however as extensively widespread 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 usually test 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’ll typically 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 certainly one of these hidden gems, a medieval metropolis resting on the banks of a bubblegum pink lake, and I nearly could not consider my eyes—and the actual fact there have been only a few foreigners in sight:
Is This The Final True Hidden Gem Of France?
Aigues-Mortes isn’t the everyday city that will function on the journey brochure displayed at your lodge 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 may dedicate a complete stand-alone article to the nationwide park, in all probability probably the most fascinating bird-watching and wildlife-spotting web site 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 backward and forward the coast; for sure, 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 might quickly discover out, this offbeat city tucked away within the salines of Camargue is without doubt one of the best-preserved medieval treasures nonetheless surviving in France immediately:
What Makes Aigues-Mortes So Particular?
I do know Dubrovnik gets all the praise, and even in France, Mont St Michel citadel is way extra simply acknowledged, however the square-shaped Aigues-Mortes can be surrounded by intact metropolis partitions and defended by a collection of towers and fortified gates.
Chivalric romance stuff, you recognize?
Strolling the charming Outdated City, a grid-like maze of cobbled lanes lined by similar stone homes, distinguished by their flower preparations and colourful window shutters, it is nearly as for those who’re transported again in time.
You might spend hours on finish exploring at leisure, and also you’re positive to search out one or two secret courtyards with a centuries-old nicely on the middle and loads of memento retailers the place you should buy pure Camargue salt, lavender merchandise, and distinctive craftwork.
Probably the most putting function right here, and one you’ll be able to’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.
Nicely, I have to add they don’t seem to be lakes correct, however saltpans which are naturally salmon-colored as a result of presence of a microscopic algae that proliferates within the setting.
Briefly, do not attempt to go for a swim as it is from being… hem, secure.
Both manner, it isn’t day-after-day you get to see a medieval citadel straddle a pink physique of water, and what a sight, my buddies!
Prime 3 Greatest Vacationer Actions In Aigues-Mortes
Go to The Salines
Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Aigues-Mortes is visiting the Salin d’Aigues-Mortes, the city’s landmark saline, dwelling to the biggest salt marsh in the complete Mediterranean basin and the place about 500,000 tons of salt per 12 months are produced.
Aside from shopping for different-flavored salt, you’ll be able to hop on a vacationer practice rattling up the slim 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 would counsel you sit on the left aspect.
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 everyday Camargues panorama.
The Petit practice go to lasts simply over an hour, and tickets price $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’ll be able to stroll the total 1.8-mile extension of them, and be sure to carry a bottle of water, and an influence financial institution for that limited-battery telephone, as you may in all probability be taking footage each step of the way in which.
There are many actions in and round Aigues-Mortes that ought to hold you busy for a few days, so I counsel you intend a minimum of an in a single day right here––I stayed myself at Lodge L’Escale (check out the Google reviews here), within the coronary heart of the ‘Internal Metropolis’, or the walled Outdated City, and a double room price $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
When you’re eager on experiencing French culture—and by that I imply sampling each kind of cheese beneath the scorching solar and sipping a Sable de Camargue Rosé —the Fundamental 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 type like me, the very best andouillette sausages and probably the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shoulder you may ever strive.
When you’re vegan, Le XIII is the place to go: not solely have they got a beautiful secluded outside seating space, shaded by unique bushes, however their refreshing Bergère salad, accompanied by chèvre-et-miel toast tastes heavenly on significantly scorching summer time days.
Aigues-Mortes is well-known round France for its seafood, significantly its mussels, and Casa Toro is the place you may 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 an appropriate $30-35, for those who’re ordering a small entrée, a principal dish and a glass of wine or similarly-priced drink, and the service is normally impeccable—residing 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 massive metropolis fast-paced residing, visitors, nor hustle and bustle, and as I perceived it, individuals are simply in a greater temper than Parisians on the whole: it is no surprise Aigues-Mortes was lately ranked by Reserving the most welcoming town within the area.
Aside from the cultural worth and the friendliness of locals, Aigues-Mortes is without doubt one of the most unusual locations I have been in France (and boy, have I received round…) and I simply can’t consider it is but to be overrun with worldwide vacationers.
Methods to Attain Aigues-Mortes
When you’re questioning find out how to get right here, the closest airport is in Montpellier (MPL), serving the namesake metropolis, and internet hosting seasonal low-cost flights from quite a lot of colder European locations, like London (Gatwick), Copenhagen, Berlin and even Paris.
When you’re already in Southern France, nevertheless, getting right here is even simpler, because the city is served by a practice station with direct hyperlinks to the town of Nîmes: the SCNF-TER service takes roughly 53 minutes to finish the journey, and tickets price as low cost as $1.
When you’re touching down in Montpellier, you’ll be able to journey from Montpellier to Aigues-Mortes, however it’ll require one change in Nîmes, tickets for the complete journey costing from $7.48, at a complete journey period of 1h28 for the shortest switch instances.
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