Arles and the Camargue

West and south of Avignon the land flattens into the delta of the Rhône, and this full-day tour covers its three best-known faces. Arles comes first: a city of Roman monuments, including an amphitheatre that still hosts events and a theatre half-hidden among the streets, as well as the Romanesque doorway of the church of Saint-Trophime and the light that drew Vincent van Gogh here in 1888. Next comes the Camargue, a vast nature reserve of lagoons, reed beds, salt marshes and rice fields, famous for its semi-wild white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos. Finally the tour reaches Aigues-Mortes, a perfectly walled town on the edge of the marshes, built in the thirteenth century by Louis IX, known as Saint Louis, as a port from which to launch his crusades. The town's rectangular ramparts still enclose a grid of streets and a main square lined with cafes, while salt pans nearby turn shades of pink in the right light. Travelling by guided tour means a driver handles the roads between three places that are awkward to link by public transport, and a guide explains what you are seeing instead of leaving you to guess. It is a long day, and it shows how varied the south of France can be within an hour's drive of Avignon.

Each stop rewards a different kind of attention. In Arles, give yourself time to stand in the arena and look at how the Romans organised crowds, with galleries and vaulted corridors that modern stadiums still echo. The old town is compact and pleasant to wander, with the Place du Forum and its cafes, and anyone interested in Van Gogh will want to look for the places connected with his stay, though most of the paintings he made here are now in museums elsewhere.

In the Camargue, the experience is about space, birds and open sky. Flamingos are most often seen in the lagoons, the horses graze on the marsh edges, and the guide can point out which species you are likely to see on the day. Bring binoculars if you own a pair.

Practical preparation helps. This is a full day, so wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sun protection and a light layer, since the Camargue is flat and exposed and the wind can be strong. Insect repellent is a sensible addition in the warmer months, because the marshes are home to mosquitoes. Spring and early summer are lovely, with green fields and active birdlife, while high summer is hot and bright.

Autumn can be beautiful and quiet. Winter days are cooler and the light is softer, but they can still be fine for the walled town and Arles. Lunch is usually your own choice in Arles or Aigues-Mortes, so ask the guide for suggestions and book nothing rigid in advance.

Choose this trip if you want variety and a sense of a different Provence from the hills and vineyards near Avignon. If your priority is hilltop villages and wine, the Luberon or Châteauneuf-du-Pape days are a better fit. If you love Roman history, pair it with a separate visit to Orange or Nîmes on another day.

Families with children who enjoy animals will find the horses and birds a highlight, though the length of the day can be demanding for the very young. Check the tour page for the departure point and the exact route, as operators sometimes vary the order or the stops depending on the day.