Pont de Gau Ornithological Park

This is a really wonderful nature reserve, you don't need to be an ornithologist to enjoy it. Located in the Camargue natural park about 5km north of Saintes Maries de la Mer it's a private, family run venture, where habitat has been specifically created to attract local bird life, with huge success. Apparently it used to be an aviary and it has that feel about it, as you walk around the birds are so abundant and close by, you get the impression of being in a zoo- it's almost hard to believe they are wild! The stars of the show are of course the iconic greater flamingos which are there in their hundreds and can be observed at a distance of just a few metres.

In addition you can enjoy seeing all kinds of herons, egrets, gulls, terns, waders and other waterbirds, depending on the time of year. 

The walkways are flat and easy to navigate and accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and the circuits are manageable for any level of fitness. There is a picnic area near the entrance and you can take in your own food and drink. There is a car park right outside although not a huge one so it might get quite full in summer. You can also rent binoculars at the entrance if you forget your own.

How to get there:

By car: Take the D66 south from the Odysseum junction, continuing onto the D62 past Carnon and La Grande Motte -  at Aigues Mortes take the D46 then D58 (Route d'Arles); then take the D38C, D38, D38B, then turn right onto the D570 and keep going, the reserve is on this road about half way to Saint Maries de la Mer. It's about an hour's drive from central Montpellier. 

By public transport: Tricky from Montpellier! There is a bus (AGGLO 50) that runs between Arles and Saintes Maries de la Mer; so you'd need to get a train from Montpellier to Arles, then from the train station the A50 bus which stops at Pont de Gau. The train journey will take at least 1 hour and the bus about 45 mins, so depending on connection times it is likely to take at least 2 -3 hours to get there.